Jonathan Underhill The Maori Council is expecting a tough fight through the courts with the government after Prime Minister John Key ended talks with Maori over how the Mighty River Power sale could help address Maori claims to rights in freshwater resources. Felix Geiringer, a barrister representing the Maori Council, says the issue is “very likely to go to court” …

Samoan Prime Minister, Hon Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi visits New Zealand later this week to mark the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship between the two countries. “I visited Samoa in August to mark the anniversary, and I am pleased to host Prime Minister Tuilaepa for a return visit during this special milestone year in our relationship,” Prime Minister John Key said. …

The government will sell Mighty River Power shares in the first half of 2013 though its inability to pin down Maori over water rights has left financial markets warning of a discount if investors can’t quantify Treaty of Waitangi risks. Prime Minister John Key said his cabinet today shelved the contentious ‘shares-plus’ proposal that would settle claims to waterways of …