Brash rehash of racist slogan

The slogan is a reprisal of a billboard Don Brash used in his unsuccessful 2005 campaign. Photo / Supplied

Prime Minister John Key has dismissed advertisements backed by former National leader Don Brash claiming the Government was surrendering control of fresh water rights to iwi as inaccurate and "a stunt."

The full page ads ran in the Sunday newspapers and were taken by NZCPR, a group led by former Act MP Muriel Newman and backed by Dr Brash. The ads feature a reprise of the 'iwi kiwi' billboards used when Dr Brash was leader of the National Party in 2005. This time, the 'kiwi' is written on a glass from which water is pouring into a glass with 'iwi' written on it.

The ads refer to the Government's ongoing negotiations with iwi over fresh water rights and claim the Government had agreed to hand over control of water to iwi through regional councils, but was "hiding it from you."

Asked yesterday whether the ads were accurate or there was a reason for concern, Prime Minister John Key said "no and no." "It's a stunt."

Maori Affairs Minister Te Ururoa said Dr Brash had not been to any of the meetings with Iwi leaders and was making assumptions. He said the advertisements were "a desire to stir up misinformation."

Environment Minister Nick Smith said the claims were "pretty extreme and silly" but it was inevitable there would be strong views at both ends of the spectrum. "I remain confident the Government will find a sensible way through tht does not cause the sort of divisive claims that are made by those funding the ads."

Dr Brash said he had supported the decision to run the ad and the use of the iwi/kiwi theme for it. "It's a serious issue and it's happening below the radar. I don't think many New Zealanders are aware of it at all and when they become aware of it they'll be very upset indeed." He had written on the issue for the NZCPR website and said he had seen a briefing paper for the Iwi Leaders' fresh water forum which made it clear they wanted preferential decision-making power over access to water and indicated ministers had agreed.

Dr Smith said the Government had made it clear nobody owned the water and control of water plans would remain with local councils. The Government was having a discussion about Maori involvement in those decisions. "They do have legitimate interests in how fresh water within their rohe [area] is managed. I think most New Zealanders recognise that Maori have long established connections with our rivers and lakes and have no difficulty with them having a say round how it's managed providing the final decisions are made by local councils."

The Land Water Forum is due to release its report to Government by the end of the year and the Government proposed to release a public discussion document early next year before final decisions were made. Other stakeholders were also consulted, including farmers and environmental groups.