Mark Solomon, the chairman of South Island iwi Ngai Tahu, has hit back at Labour MP Shane Jones' criticism that the tribe has "divided Maoridom" by supporting the Crown in its legal battle with the Maori Council over asset sales.
Mr Jones said an affidavit supplied by Ngai Tahu to the Crown as it opposes the Maori Council's bid to halt the Government's asset sales programme in a High Court hearing next week, "splits Maoridom over the vexed issue of water rights".
The Maori Council argues the partial sale of Mighty River Power and other power companies may affect the Crown's ability to deal with Maori rights and interests in fresh water.
But in its affidavit, Ngai Tahu says the sale would not affect its own rights and interests.
In an opinion article published by the Herald today, Mr Solomon said it was "unfortunate" the iwi's submission to the court had been made public before the hearing as "some parties have used it to score political points".
