Henare tunes into cabinet views on radio spectrum

By Audrey Young

Tau Henare says he is right behind the Government decision not to preserve part of the radio spectrum for Maori.

The Minister of Maori Affairs had tried to convince the cabinet to follow the Waitangi Tribunal view that Maori were entitled to a fair share of the frequencies.

"At the end of the day, I'm one against many," said the Mauri Pacific leader.

"I put my views to the cabinet. The cabinet disagreed with me and I'm right behind the decision. It's called collective responsibility."

Mr Henare said the $15 million increase for Maori language last week had nothing to do with his accepting the decision.

Now frequencies in the 2GHz band set aside for broadband mobile communications, including high-speed Internet access, will be auctioned on the Internet starting on November 15.

Te Tawharau MP Tuariki Delamere is unhappy with the sale.

"I agree with [Minister of Communications Maurice] Williamson.There was no known radio spectrum back in 1840. But that's not the point.

"The point is, the treaty says Maori are entitled to participate and share and there needs to be provision so that Maori get an appropriate level of whatever resource."

Labour's Maori affairs spokesman, Dover Samuels, said Maori had been "sold out" by Mr Henare.

"National continues to ignore the treaty issues with Tau Henare's submissive assistance."