Turia understands Maori frustration at oil rejection

Associate Maori Affairs Minister Tariana Turia says she can understand Maori anger and frustration at the Government's refusing to accept their petroleum claims.

On Friday, the Government rejected a Waitangi Tribunal recommendation that Maori should be compensated for the 1937 nationalisation of petroleum.

The tribunal had ruled that many Maori had lost their historical interest in petroleum because of Treaty of Waitangi breaches and were entitled to millions of dollars in royalties that had been collected by the Crown.

In a press statement under her electorate letterhead Mrs Turia said Taranaki iwi would be clearly disappointed.

A local kaumatua had told her how his ancestors had been murdered and their land stolen.

"He asked why Maori get no compensation when property is taken, whereas West Coast people got millions to compensate for the loss of forestry rights," Mrs Turia said.

The tribunal found that Maori should have a slice of the estimated $12 billion earned by the Crown in gas and oil royalties and that the sale of the interest in the Kupe gasfield should be put on hold until this was sorted out.

- NZPA