NZ Centre for Political Research

This week's poll asks:

Should John Key stick to his guns that no-one owns water - even if it means the Maori Party will leave the Coalition?

*All Kiwis own the water. Lynn

*Unquestionably, yes. He must stick to his guns. David

*I will never again vote National if the Govt gives any water ownership to the Maori . JO

*John Keys be strong - enough is enough!!!!! Elaine

*The gravy train has run long enough! Mac

*No body owns the water. Tell the Maoris to F#@^ off! Graham

*It is time to call a halt to this sort of nonsense. IF he gives way on this one, the process will continue until we have reverted to tribalism - shwich some may well think would OK because pre-European NZ was such a caring, peaceful and loving place; forgetting the countless generations of inter-tribal warfare. Who, and on what basis would sort out who owned what? The side with the most guns. Duncan

*The claims of Maori are getting more and more rediculous and must be stopped. Stewart

*Yes, Yes, and if the Maori Party walks away from the coalition then bloody good riddance. This must be seen as the most unholy alliance in the history of New Zealand. Jim

*The Maori grab is completely grubby and they will tell any lie they can think up to steal from true hard working New Zealanders. Max

*Frankly fed up with what appears to be two totally different legal rights for people who are after all NZ citizens and should be treated equally under the one law. Michael

*It's about time politicians saw some sense over these ridiculous claims! Gina

*Absolutely!! Maori claims are insatiable they will never stop unless the Govt. puts a stop to them. Water rights...What next....Crazy. Sue

*As it stands now, who are the Big winners out of all this? The Power companies and the share holders, who just happen to be Overseas not New Zealanders, if its kept in NZ hands the country wins..justsaying. James

*Most certainly - As an alternative givet Maoris the opportunity to BUY shares in Mighty River thus giving them a continuing interest in the water. Jim

*Absolutely. Still has an opportunity to court N.Z First, who are at least not separatist or racist. Maori Party oversteps and must go. Roger

*I dont care about the coalition. Just justice and common sense. Gary

*Show some real leadership John Key. Barbara

*National Government should put the matter to the nation and call for a new election with the mandate that they will not enter into any pre-elction party deals and wish to treat us all the same and abolish Maori seats and treay influence - the cost of the election would be well covered by the wasted money funding the Waitangi Tribunal that is clearly a self serving body to benefit an elite few - that is not our way . John

*Enough already. Leonee

*Absolutely. The current Law satisfies this argument. End of discussion. Derek

*Maori are going to leave anyway as soon as they decide that they can't extort anything more out of Key. It's rather amusing in a dark sort of way really. John Key thought that by driving a wedge between Maori and Labour he'd achieved something special and imagined that a beholden Maori electorate would see National as their natural political bedmate. Key was wrong. Maori were the ones that held the 'King Maker's keys' and it was John Key who was left dancing on the end of a Maori string and not the other way around. Peter

*I am no longer to be referred to as a Pakeha - I am a Kiwi first and foremost. I am sick of the tail wagging the dog - it's time for the delinquent child to receive the 'tough love' treatment. Our waka (NZ) is sinking - it's time we all looked forward together (instead of looking back in time) and all paddled in the same direction. Where can we find a leader with some 'balls'! Alan

*This claim is blackmail and bullying, we have given them enough already, too much. Those of us who are able will emigrate faster than ever, the country will be destroyed by Maori for Maori. Jill

*There is no way that the Maori can claim ownership of water. KJ Moulder

*All people, even in the Sahara have a special relationship with & to water,it,s not just Maori. William

*I definitely think that no one owns water even if it means that the Maori Party leaves the coalition. David

*I wish that the Nats have the courage to not compromise on the issue of maori ownership of water but they won't because of re-election concerns!! Pathetic! Tony

*Enough is now more than well and truly enough. We are now paying out claims to tribes that were subjugated by other tribes. The whole claim is repugnant and spurious. Carolyn

*BLOODY OATH! Clark

*It is time John Key, National and all politicians who believe in one law for all New Zealanders declare their allegance to New Zealand Law and the publically reject totally the racist manipulations of the maori activists. John

*Stick with it. Lynn

*Absolutely, nobody owns water. It is everybodys and nobodys. Let the Maori party go, he does not need them to govern and I believe his mandate next time would be greater if he did. More and more people slowly are seeing thru Maori for what they really are - thieves. Graeme

*Just another brown grabbing . Jeff

*I have asked Mr Sharples if Maori are claiming the rain falling from the sky as we have had an abundance of it lately. Elsa

*Grievances are very toxic, especially to the rank and file NZers; they lead to self-pity and self-destructive behaviour. Max

*Time we had some realism and said enopugh is enough to Maori greed and pathetic attempts to hold the country to ransom. Maggie

*Water comes from the sky in the form of rain how can any group of people claim they own it. Ian

*We have had a gutsfull of the Waitangi Tribunal and the racist radicals who continue to do their level best to turn NZ into potentially the most divisive society in the western world. It's time the Tribunal and the treaty for that matter were cast aside and every kiwi was treated equally. Stand up and be counted Key and the National Party. The huge (too silent) majority voted for you - now don't let us down. Dave

*REFER TO THE LITTLEWOOD TREATY ON GOOGLE.The Waitangi Tribunal is working on a version that does not translate to the Maori one which was signed on the 6th of February 1840 by both Maori and English. Don

*The sooner they abandon the maori party the better for all. Tom

*If the Maori party leave good bloody riddance to them. He doesn't need them. And if he gives them what they want it's goodbye National on the next election. The country will be screwed so who cares anymore. Sorry people, its too late. He will give it to them, he is only interested in appeasing Maori. He's not what I thought he was but he will leave NZ as he doesn't really give a toss. I voted for him but just watching Jobs being lost instead of created makes me realize I made a huge mistake. I can't stand looking at the man and don't trust a thing he does or says. Chris

*We continue to hope that he has some spine but he is a dealer and will do a deal-we lose. Roger

*Who cares if the Maori Party leaves the coalition. Bruce

*Of course! Mike

*MAORIS WILL WANT THE AIR WE BREATH NEXT. FRANK

*Yes he should tell them to go suck it. But we know that this is going to be very expensive for the Tax payer ....ME..... because Key has no ba*ls. Neil

*He should never have gone into a coalition with them in the first place. Graeme

*No valid claim at all. John

*Yes tell him to stick to his Guns,if he loses the Maroi Party to bad, they should not be there, where is our so called mate John Minto re race equality he seems to have lost his tounge over all this. Geoff

*Just more Marxist-style theft with tribal embellishments, i.e. a giant fraud like A.G.W. Donald

*Yes absolutely! Bruce

*Water and it's use for recreation, power generation (hydro or geothermal),irrigation and farming sets NZ apart from the rest of the world. It should belong equally to all New Zealanders. Nick

*Key failed all NZers when he did not stand against the foreshore and seabed debacle. Has he got the guts to stand up for us now? Forget about the Maori Party coalition and think about the future of the nation. It's either democracy or apartheid - and Key must decide - or else listen to the people for a change. Barrie

*I voted yes, but the poll should really ask whether all New Zealanders own the water... Mark

*Once again the racism is showing it is alive and well in this country water is a natural resource that falls from the sky and flows from the mountains when are we going to get rid of all this treaty rot the stupid thing should have been burnt years ago I do hate to see our heritage being given awy for peanuts good honest British and Maori built this country so why have a few activists been able to walk away with so much of our country. Russell

*The Maori will not leave the govt benches as they know they cannot achive much from the other side of the house. Hugh

*Unfortunately I think three more years in power will prove more more important to him,John Key, than future generations of New Zealanders birth right and heritage as was the case with the foreshore and seabed. Kerry

*He should stand firm their water rights have extinguished as per the legistration already passed.This should be spelt out clearly to the Tribunal . Trish

*This is ridiculous in the extreme. Andrea

*Stop the rot. Kevin

*The claims are becoming more and more insane. Desmond

*It's time to abolish all these claims and restore one law for all. Peter

*Yes of course, most decidedly so. But the likelihood of that happening would be on par with Phil Heatley becoming Prime Minister, or Speaker of the House. Chris

*Finlayson.. well he could become the figure in the wood pile. Wiremu

*When will it end?! Let the Maori party go, it is an anachronism. Irvine

*Of course, any other course of action would be lunacy. The Government is supposed to represent the majority and to protect its interests. Lets get real here, the claimants are the remnants of a stone age people and, as usual, are looking for a free ride. Parasites! Trevor

*If he fails to do so he and the National Party are finished. Sadly, our country could be also. Rob

*During my 50 years in NZ the Maoris have cleverly built up a Grievance Industry which has, and is, providing endless career opportunities for solo mums, iwi and whanau right through to an army of female Maori lawyers specialing in wringing out every last cent of taxpayer's money from every word in "The Treaty" (an antiquated 170 year old A4 size document which no longer holds any relevancy to modern life). Brian

*John Key - Please stay strong. Enough is enough - no-one should have claim over water. Good on you for taking this stance which is reflecting how most NZ's think! Debs

*He needs to find the courage to say "DEFINITELY NO" to this greedy lot - whatever we give them they will never be satisfied. Water is for EVERYONE as we cannot survive without it. Time to stop the nonsensicle claims or I see a further exodus out of this country - including our "comfortable" PM. Wake up Key and get rid of the Maori Party and the Maori Seats like you said you would. Carolyn

*If John Key "sticks to his Guns" he will be remembered. If he gives way to Maori he will be just another New Zealand Prime Minister who placed his ambition before the country. It does also depend on:-
1. Whether he listens to his Spin Doctors.
2. Whether he is prepare to buck the dictatorial mandates that eminate from the United Nations and place the welfare of all New Zealanders ahead of what the Gnomes of the U.N. demand.
- Brian

*I have no confidence in Key as he appears to value the Maori support above all reason. His mate Finlayson is completely in the thrall of Maori - he gives the impression that he must be 100% Maori himself. Auntie Podes

*National gets precious little support from Maori voters, so the "risk of upsetting Maori by taking the stand that he MUST" is more than worth it. I believe that any race-based legislation is, by definition, wrong! Laurie

*John Key will probably need to re-write our Constitution in order to achieve this water revision. He should ensure that there will be no reference to the Treaty of Waitangi, or it's so called principles, in any constitution document or existing legislation. This will put a stop to the grievance industry. When he announces that he is going to make these changes, all hell will break out. I would strongly suggest that he announces an early election to seek public confirmation that he has done what is best for New Zealand. My bet is that the National Party will get an overwhelming majority. Ernest

*Absolutely. The Maori Party is on borrowed time anyway. Whatever Key does politically active Maori will eventually join Mana or rejoin the general electorate. Peter

*This nation needs leadership from Government, NOT Governments that give in to racial seperatist demands. Murray

*Whatever the maori say, NZ should be a country of equal people, with no special rights for maori. John Key will gain immense popular support from the nation if he cans all of the supposed claims to special maori rights riught now, and to hell with the Maori party vote in parliament. Carl

*One Country - One People. Robin

*The sooner we get rid of this Race Based pandering the better. Oh if only Brash had succeeded. Robin

*I would like to know, at which particular point in time do they think they own it? Wayne

*Maori were not the first people to enherit this land. What they are asking for is tantamount to Apartheid with Maori as the superior race with advantages and privilege. Sylvia

*A high ranking Maori told me, "The white man is just stupid. We ask for all these ridiculous things, he takes them seriously and gives us most of them. Why shouldn't we just keep going and see how much he is prepared to give us". White New Zealanders have become so PC that we are becoming utterly foolish. Winston

*Give in to Maori water claims and it will open a flood gate of other claims. Lynn

*Not only should John Key say 'No' to water rights but the Maori party should leave the coalition, hopefully leading to a snap election that the whole race issue can be fought on and consigned to history forever. Monica

*National party will lose next election if water rights are given to maori. John Key is a comprimise man, or a 50% man, if you want a $50 ask for $100 he he will negotiate $50, weak. Keith

*John Key (& the gummint) must stand their ground on this issue. Not to do so will open a floodgate of spurious "claims", extend the Treaty gravy train, & surely lead to our descent into a Third World country. No-one can possibly own water, it is transient & variable, totally dependent on natural forces - although the Warmists are trying to control the climate. The only "Water rights" that exist for the Iwi elite is the rite of having their boots (& other more fancy footware) p****d on by the rest of us! And the sooner the better for the good of us all! Dave

*Claims such as this will create division in our country - A Them and Us . We are coming closer to a new type of Apartied system. Brian

*How can anyone OWN water which has been here since the beginnng of time. It is too ridiculous for words. Tell them to get stuffed please John Key. Mary

*Mr Key must block his ears and shut his eyes to the expert intimidators and looters of national assets. If he hears their dirty and savage lies and threats and sees their hate-filled faces then he will lose heart and once again open the national treasuries to a bunch tax payer subsidised criminals and brazen thieves stealing. Alastair

*Stand for nothing; fall for everything otherwise. Sarah

*As it ALL originates as rain, they would have to own the clouds to support their claim! Stealing by finding, perhaps ? William

*We want to abolish the treaty and tribunal as maori are majority european and only are maori for financial gain. Joan

*We want to get rid of the treaty and the tribunal , the tribunal is way off beam with all these negotions , but selling these assets is also crminal,but john key has this country going backward , and only one sector making progress. Joan

*A firm hand dealing with maori is needed.and government that does not pander to minorities over the rest of nz, if kiwis really knew how much was forked out to maori and how much of that was abused and wasted i think john key would be thrown out of the country. Gregg

*Water belongs to all New Zealanders. If the maori want it then they should be prepared to pay for all the damages floods etc cause. Sally

*No-one owns the heat and light from the sun and no-one owns the air we breathe no-one owns the water and no-one owns gravity that powers our dams to produce electricity. Laurie

This week's poll asks:

Should John Key stick to his guns that no-one owns water - even if it means the Maori Party will leave the Coalition?

*He surely cannot be afraid to lose the Maori Party's support?They will continue to eat at the trough as they know that they need to be close to the seat of power. In any case I feel that if he does stick to his guns he will actually regain support that he is losing, such as mine! Mark

*In fact, he should stick to it SO THAT the radical racist tribalist bunch of self-interested "Maori Party" DO leave. But until NZ repeals UN control of our country (Agenda 21 would be a good place to start...), we will be forever tossed to and 'fro by the wishes of a tiny group of people that consider us no more than cash-cows to milk and exploit. Peter

*He has to, as it is simply wrong and will be the thin edge of the wedge for further ridiculous Maori claims. Fraser

*Remember the story of the stupid Emperor with no clothes? We are having our clothes removed garment by garment, but the public is now starting to feel the chilly winds! Some Maori are intent on continuing to undress the rest of us, but unlike the Emperor we have noticed and we don't like our state of undress! Close down the grievance industry, enough redress has been made, it has now become farcical. Dell

*To do otherwise seriously compromises the governments ability to govern.By the way, the Tribunal letter to government specifically acknowledges that under treaty Article one, the government has the right and duty to govern in the interests of all new zealanders.Article one therefore must take precedence over Article two? Marty

*It is time these rediculous claims stopped. It is splitting NZ apart, No wonder so many are off to Australia. BILL

*Just say NO to the claim!! Peter

*He would do well to toughen up on the scoundrels. Max

*The more we give in the more will be expected of us! Ken

*The Maori party has, through it's timing on this, stabbed the Govt in the back. The Govt should respond by holding a referendum on Maori seats? John

*He can't retract from his thoughts. Harold

*Even if he does say yes he intrenches himself as a gutless wonder. Mother nature sends the rain for plants humans, bacteria etc to live, even Maori. Every word in Maori has a hidden meaning (Money)This is not Gods own country, it`s Maori`s own country - Keys is seeing to that. The way things stand we have two lower houses, 1/(Maori Council) racist, 2/(Government) Supposedly democraticly elected representing whom and an Upper house (Waitangi Tribunal)not democraticly represented but has the final say. Talk about shifting the goal posts. It becomes easier and easier with Keys/National and their inabilty to govern in the interest of those elected. For MP's to have moral vote is just abig laugh when it should be the publics. Parliament is the pinnacle of the Mad Hatters Tea Party. Robert

*Their claims get ever more ridiculous. They don't go to the river to drink or eat. They turn on taps & most go to shops to get food - not the river. Dot

*Time he had some spine. Roy

*I fail to see how any country can progress when a tiny minority lays claim to something as basic as its water resource. Colleen

*Without any doubt! Steve

*What is next - will the Maori tribes claim ownership of the air, sun and rain - maybe the sunshine!? How devisive is that thought. Joan

*Just who governs New Zealand? Richard

*Resources are for us all regardless of our ethnicity and background. Peter

*Yes yes yes! Come on John key someone's gotta make a stand before we all go down the gurgler. John

*OR HE SHOULD BE PREPARED TO FACE THE CONSEQUENCES NEXT ELECTION. Maurice

*Time to stop reinventing the past. Don

This week's poll asks:

Should John Key stick to his guns that no-one owns water - even if it means the Maori Party will leave the Coalition?

*I do not trust Key. The fact that he has already given so much to Maori to acquire power makes me believe he will be reluctant to risk losing his majority. Bill

*There is only one race in this country that demands special treatment for themselves. It is time to tell NO MORE ONCE and for all time NOW. Colin

*If he does not stick to his guns he can kiss his job goodbye. Mike

*It is time the majority of New Zealanders stood up and said 'enough is enough'. The tribes need to start living up to their agreements by signing the treaty - it isn't all one-way. Gary

*When ordinary people become "politicians" they become a new animal. There is nothing more important than keeping their noses in the public trough and getting all they can from it. John Keys will sell out to keep his party in power and himself in employment. Gary

*No one owns the water on any land and no one should have more or less rights to water. Gerhard

*Absolutely no one owns water. Most certainly not the Maori. Brian

*Maori should have no more rights to anything..any more than any other true kiwi. Roy

*Is there no end to this madness. Lawrence

*If the Maori party were to walk, It is almost certain that National would receive far more voter support than any that they lose. The whole Waitangi/Maori council debacle is a nonsense. Who goversn this country, the elected government or these self serving racially based (and public funded) organisations? Richard

*No brainer but lets see how Key reacts. Roger

*If he does not we are doomed and may as well all go to aussie. Don

*I see the Maori party leaving the coalition as a positive. They should never have been part of the coalition due to the % of votes they received. John

*Absolutely. Unfortunately, he's already given away heaps to the Maoris. He's spent most of his time in office sucking up to them. Josie

*Why don't we find out just how many true Maoris are left? Mary

*Along with thousands of other Kiwi's …… I'm sick of it, now is the time for Shonky Jonkey and his smarmy Tory mates to man up and show us that they have actually got some balls. I know that National and Labour are traditionally worried about upsetting Maori and losing votes BUT I believe that National could win the next election by a landslide simply by saying NO to Maori on this issue. Next mission, boot the ToW into touch ………. forever. Tony

*Most NZers have had enough of this grab grab grievence fiasco. Rex

*Just the usual bullshit. Findlayson should get a job as janitor in parliament, just a arrogant twit. Sam

*If the Maoris own the water then there is nothing to stop them to state that they will no longer be paying for reticulated water. They can argue as it's their water why should they pay. George

*If, as a New Zealander, my descendants are to have any democratic future this must be stopped now. Roderick

*Maori claims to water should be limited to the water that was in New Zealand on 6 February 1840. Any water that arrived after that date lies outside the treaty terms and therefore is not subject to Maori claims. Anthony

*Yes, wake up New Zealand. Alan

*Just who IS a Maori? Is it someone with one Maori great grandparent? Someone who 'feels' Maori? Eneka

*One country, one law for all. Dave

*We do not need race based politics in New Zealand. Bryon

*I agree no body should own the water and they are kite flying to say they do. John

*A slow fuse is burning with an inevitable outcome. This nonsense needs to be stopped now before it is too late. Rob

*John should be absolute in advising Maori and the Nation that water owned by the Crown, and that basic premise is non negotiable. Who will invest in any company with the potential for political interference from an activist minority? Michael's article is very clear and well written, and in my view should be required reading for every caring New Zealander, including all school and University attendees who can read and understand English. Forget about the Maori party being a coalition partner. If John and the National party back down on this issue, they will be history at the next election, and for many more to follow. Chris

*Absolutely, totally, utterly. Racist mumbo-jumbo and grievance-grinding is today rampant in opportunist sections of NZ Society. Equality and fairness cannot possibly be for other than all. Time for politicians to keep past promises and agreements. End the nonsense, before NZ degenerates into full-blown out-of control selfish racism: bad for Maori and Pakeha. Phil

*Absolutely! Mark

*A public referendum (a chance for the "silent majority" to speak) would be very revealing. Russell

This week's poll asks:

Should John Key stick to his guns that no-one owns water - even if it means the Maori Party will leave the Coalition?

*Definitely. Let the Maori party leave the coalition if that is what they choose to do. NO ONE owns the water. Fay

*Key sticking to his guns? True to form we should expect him to grovel at the feet of anything brown and noisy lest he be accused of being 'racist'. Robert

*Of course he must. The money grubbing, gravy train passengers have to have the train derailed NOW!! Jim

*This is ridiculous! Laughable if it were not so serious. Ron

*We and our friends, all of whom have worked hard and constructively for more than 50 years to build this country, resent the various grabs by people who have done much less. Nick

*National has definetily got into bed with the wrong party at the time. A good example is a German novel called Biedermann and the arsonists. A harmless citizen ia approached by two smooth talking guys asking him if they could use a small space in the attic to store some stuff. In the end it dawns on our citizen Biedermann that he is harbouring two criminal arsonists using his attic to store dangerous flammables. In context I see this novel with our current political developments. The Maori elite will in the end not stop before anything in order to ruthlessly control this country. The parallels to fascism are obvious. Michael

*If Key doesnt support water being all New Zealand owned, along with air, radio waves,etc then he is signing his permanent vaction, becaus the working kiwis that have built this country will not stand idly be and allow a political power faction to run Urewera Riot over all our common domains. What is needed is teh voice of commonsense maybe Nigel Farage could give lessons to those who aspire to lead. Vern

*Too Much has been given to Maori already. It is time the gravy train reached the end of the line. John

*Bugger the Maori party! Let it slither away to somewhere murky from whence it probably came; somewhere like the mythical land of the taniwha and other mythical creatures.
New Zealand has already paid far too high a price for Maori rorts, unless of course we have all come to believe in another non-existent land Maori are trying to conjure up as ancient myth; some fantasy place they would like to call Aotearoa. Frank

*We don't have unity in this country. We need 1 electoral roll,1 vote and no entrenched seats. Brian

*No comment is necessary. It is abundantly clear that no-one owns the water in NZ. What next, who owns sunlight! Chris

*Hey Maori, what about my pakeha water rights? Ian

*Water, like the sea bed, the foreshore and air - is a natural treasure owned by all and managed on behalf of future generations. Margaret

*Cant believe the Government is even discussing this matter. Suzanne

*It would be a landslide victory for him. Barbara

*The second article in the Treaty of Waitangi states that Maori will retain undisturbed possession of their lands etc so long as they retain possession.
Therefore, once those possessions were sold, Maori rights to those items no longer exist.
The treaty was signed, so the deal was done.
End of story. Errol

*The maori mafia are too used to getting their own way. These claims should have been stopped years ago and because they have always got whatever they wanted, the claims have gotten greedier and greedier. The Maori Party is a racist party and it's traitorous to see a National PM cuddle up to them when a lot of people voted National in the hope that Key and Co would stand up to these maori bullies. Derejk

*Of course he should - but look at his record on these matters. He has led New Zealand more rapidly down the path to apartheid than any other prime-minister or political party. He is far more concerned about holding his coalition together than the future of this country. John

*Water belongs to all NZs. Graeme

*All the Maori Party is doing is blackmailing NZer's for their own ends. We are all NZers, that is what is written on our passports -isn't it? Patricia

This week's poll asks:

Should John Key stick to his guns that no-one owns water - even if it means the Maori Party will leave the Coalition?

*Even if it means a fresh election with this topic being tested. Tim

*We are equal aren't we? Keith

*Maori will not be happy until they have everything & collect easy money at our expense. Colleen

*If Key caves in on this National has lost my vote.. Bob

*Maori have enough their claims were logged before 2008 Sept no more especially Water. Kent

*Absolutely, as a country we've bent over backwards to try and keep everyone happy, however it's never enough and never will be. The government need to start representing the country as a whole instead of a select few. Water belongs to everyone, simple. Brent

*Yes. But he grovels to part-horis - I don't trust him. Barry

*We need a leader with some backbone. Someone who will stop pandering to a group who are only 10% of the nation people. Let us hope and pray that John Key is that someone. Frank

*Absolutely! HE simply must - for the sake of all New Zealanders. THis TReaty rubbish has to stop NOW! KEVIN

*The concept is ludicrous! So if it's decreed that maori owns NZ's water (rain) can we lodge flood claims against them? It's time this separatist money grabbing nonsense was jumped on and we need a party with the guts and sense to do so. George

*The sooner the snivelling, AVARICIOUS moari RACISTS leave, the better for everyone. Mark

*We must make a stand!!!!!! John

*Definitely he should in my view. Claire

*If the Maori Party leave the coalition and force an election all National has to do is say "vote for us and we will abolish the racist Maori seats and they would fly in unopposed. Adrian

*Get rid of the tribunal. Its past its used by date. Karl

*If he lets the Maori radicals get away with this we may as well all move to Australia. Lorraine

*This is just another money grab by the Maori !! No wonder people leave for Oz! Terry

*I'm afraid that Key will roll over on this issue. A pity that the news media wont pick up on these things and inform the wider populace. Let the Maori party go and have a snap election, hang on, we might get a Labour / Green (commo) government who will continue the rort on behalf of maori. Ray S

*They clearly aren't working in the best interest of all New Zealanders, including the bulk of the Maori population, and thus should not be part of a NZ government anyway... Simon

*Definitely. Let the Maori party leave the coalition if that is what they choose to do.
NO ONE owns the water. Fay

This week's poll asks:

Should John Key stick to his guns that no-one owns water - even if it means the Maori Party will leave the Coalition?

*Wake up people! NZ is far more "racist" than South Africa ever was. This approach is just a lot more subtle. Maggie

*I say let the Maori own all the water that was in the streams at the trime of the Treaty signing. But that's all long gone. The lakes and streams are full of water which has fallen from the sky recently. They never owned that as it didn't exist then. David

*The only reason Maori are with Nats is that Nats have the numbers, as soon as the left have enough numbers to govern with Maori they (Maori) will change sides and if Maori get water the flood gates will open (no pun intended), I have family in Aus and further afield and this stuff is getting mentioned over there, New Zealand is becoming a laughing stock (even without the cricket team) but if you think it is bad now god help us when the Green/Labour/Peters (with Maori attached) party get their next shot, we are doomed. John

*Why do we tolerate this constant bleed on tax payers money. I become more disenchanted with the present government daily. Brian

*This has to end. Mark

He should make a stand on this. Severing ties with a racist party can only be good for National's support base, so it'll be a bonus if the Maori Party leave the "coalition". Jonathan

*Agree with all you have said! Judy

*Entering into a coalition agreement with the Maori Prty was the biggest mistake John Key and National have ever made. They, ACT, and United Future had the numbers to govern without the Maori Party. Had they done it what would the political situation in New Zealand be now? I believe better. Remember National once campaigned on the abolition of the Maori seats. Kerry

*He needs to stand up and be counted. This political blackmail has gone too far. Neville

*We rely on the Prime Minister to say NO! No to all Maori claims in the name of justice and equality for us all! Maori greed has reached the level where it is difficult for Maori and pakeha to relate to one another anymore. This is indeed the beginning of a separatist nation and a loss of democracy for both sides! The so-called Maori Council has subjected the once highly respected Treaty of Waitangi, as a playground for their own lawyers to seek every possible excuse for new interpretation, shamelessly re-writing history to suit their greed-ridden goals with pathetic "legal" arguments. It is time for everyone, including Maori, to disassociate themselves from these highly suspect groups, and to get on with life and all its opportunities in this wonderful country. Be sure to tell your local MP what you expect from them in the name of fairness, equality and justice for us all! Russell

*It's about time he grew a backbone and started acting in the interests of the country and society in general. Lloyd

*Seems that the Claimants are using similar tactics to Hitler while he was justifying the annexation of countries such as Czechoslovakia. Willy

*Of course he should. The Maori's should be told to jump in their waka's and get back to where they come from. Ralph

*Maori are now trying to bring apartheid to NZ. I grew up in a country where everyone was equal. My best friends were Maori but they were just my best friends, no labels! Let's go back to those days. Kath

*I came to New Zealand because I admired the way all people had the same right! As apposed to Australia. However, after living here for six years, I see my first impression was wrong. A democracy is for all or the majority of the people. The treaty claim process has made a mockery of this democracy. If when the government gave gave money to the Maori people they used it to sort out their many problems. That would have been a good thing. But we have created a two class Maori system. Where some tribes are rich beyond expectation. And low class Maori live in very poor housing, fill up our jails etc. It is time to stop the nonsense. John Key can start right now and say enough is enough. Use the law as passed by Helen Clark if he has to! But far better he stand like a Prime Minister and do what is right for the majority and the country. Raymond

*Absolutely!!! But I doubt that John Key has the guts to do it. Just look at how he has back-peddled on other issues. These politicians don't care for integrity, trust and honesty; their only concern is for their own pockets and the next vote. Walter

*Hell yes... emphatically yes. Absolutely no doubt. He must refuse to give even a wee bit. Every inch costs a mile. If Maori win this battle the war is over. Claire

*This nonsense must stop! HL

This week's poll asks:

Should John Key stick to his guns that no-one owns water - even if it means the Maori Party will leave the Coalition?

*Key needs to govern the country for the benefit and good of the majority of the people in the country. If the New Zealand people believed that he would do this then he would get more support, not less, and would at the next election govern without a coalition. Leonie

*Non Maori politicians must cease pandering to the racist requests of a minority party. In a democracy, the majority rules!! Thomas

*But he shouldn't go ahead and sell the power companies. Hilary

*Absolutely - bring it on! In fact if the Maori Party were to leave the coalition they would be doing the country a favour! Jim

*The PM Must stick to his guns on the ownership of water. The tribunal report is a sham which should be dismissed outright. No-one owns water - end of story. Michael

*John Key MUST NOT give in to the tribalists on this issue. The claim for water is outrageous - pure greed through and through. Good riddance if the Maori Party quit the coalition. But unfortunately they won't do that. James

*Yes, yes, yes - if the Maori Party left the coalition it would be good riddance! Stick to your guns John Key. Sandra

*If Key gives in to the this blackmail, the country is absolutely stuffed. Peter