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Pouakani appeared again in the Supreme Court today
in the hopes that the court would rule in their favour
in their claim to the riverbed of the Waikato River
that flows through their land.
Pouakani chair Tamati Cairns says the Crown is ignoring them,
all the better to sell off the country's assets,
as this has happened on Pouakani land in the past.
Part two of Pouakani's battle...
The Crown did not make clear
that they had bought rights to the riverbed.
Today the fiduciary duty of the Crown was examined.
It's a path the claimants will follow should they be unsuccessful
in court with their claim under the Treaty of Waitangi.
It's to do with the manner that the Crown conducted
their dealing with Pouakani concerning land sales.
It's their fiduciary duty.
Ultimately, the power stations
would be charged for using the water.
But before that, Pouakani needs the Supreme Court's ruling
to say they are legal owners of their share of the riverbed.
Pouakani are claiming they own 32km of the Waikato Riverbed,
on which stand three hydro dams that sit on Maori land.
However, they have other pressing issues...
Our money is all gone, but if we don't go fight the battle,
there'll be even bigger problems than not having any funds.
The iwi however remain optimistic the court will rule in their favour.
The case will resume tomorrow.
Peata Melbourne, Te Karere.