Maori issue demand for control over technology

A call yesterday for an "unequivocal" Maori right of veto over applications to introduce or experiment with genetically engineered organisms added to an increasingly tough overall Maori line against the technology.

The demand came with a series of tough recommendations, including a 10-year moratorium on all field tests or general release of GE organisms.



The Royal Commission on Genetic Modification heard yesterday that the Maori Congress wanted no GE applications, no trials and "certainly no releases."

Congress GE spokeswoman Chris Webster said the 10-year condition was a starting point - the aim was total rejection of the new technology.

The congress submission called for protection systems to reflect a Maori cultural viewpoint, and for fast-tracking of the controversial Treaty of Waitangi "WAI 262" claim, of sovereignty over native plants and animals.

It also wanted the Government to work towards making New Zealand a GE-free nation, and for New Zealand to go fully organic by 2005.

Asked by Life Sciences Network lawyer Chris Hodson, QC, whether the congress' stand required the right of veto, chief executive Tu Williams said: "Yes. Unequivocally."

Questioned in Maori by Life Sciences Network representative Paora Ammunson, Mr Williams acknowledged that Maori ancestors had themselves imported plants and created hybrids with different gene structures.

But he said the difference was that in those cases the knowledge, mana and decision-making remained with Maori.

Asked for a reaction to the plight of "all those people who suffer from sugar diabetes," Mr Williams said prevention was better than an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff.

In other submissions, the Muaupoko Cooperative Society, representing Muaupoko iwi between the Manawatu River and Waikanae, gave an emotional submission about responsibilities to pass on a clean environment to children.

"Best we don't start activities that may render women sterile, that would stop mankind from being born," spokeswoman Vivienne Taueki said.

"It's frightening, absolutely frightening. I just think it needs a lot more discussion and information-sharing before we can make any decisions."

The Federation of Maori Authorities, representing land-owning trusts, said that although it recognised "potential risks," it supported case-by-case evaluation of GE applications by a new body, independent of the Government and with full and informed participation of Maori.

An independent archiver recording the hearing was prevented from filming for the second day running yesterday, after objections from Maori. Stephen Brooker had left proceedings on Monday after Maori Council representatives objected to his filming.

He was not asked to leave, but said later that it would have been a waste of time to stay.

Maori Council executive chairman Maanu Paul, asking for the filming to cease, said: "Maori are sick of the fact that other people capture their body of knowledge to utilise it for their own endeavours. For that reason I refuse to accept the video."

Yesterday, Mr Brooker's appearance brought an immediate response from Ms Webster.

"The man with the video camera has returned," she said. "We are not giving permission."

Mr Brooker told the hearing on Monday that he had been invited by the Green Party to videotape its submissions, but had stayed on when he realised that a valuable record was being missed.

He was planning to make a documentary, using footage only where individuals gave permission, and to make his material available to others.

The royal commission ruled that the Maori submitters had the choice of whether they wanted their submissions videotaped.

Mr Brooker said afterwards that he was not personally offended, but the public might be upset at the lack of public scrutiny.

- NZPA

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