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Maori Party backs new foreshore and seabed law

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Tariana Turia

Tariana Turia

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 5:29a.m.

The Maori Party is throwing its weight behind the Government's legislation that will replace the Foreshore and Seabed Act, ensuring it will be passed by Parliament even if other parties don't like it.

Attorney-General Chris Finlayson unveiled the bill yesterday, revealing the foreshore and seabed was getting a new name - it will in future be enshrined in the statutes as the Common Marine and Coastal Area.

The change is understood to have been made because the Government wants to move on from the anguish and confrontation caused by the 2004 Foreshore and Seabed Act.

Maori Party co-leaders Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia were out the country yesterday and acting leader Te Ururoa Flavell said iwi across the country had been longing for the bill.

"We're really pleased to see that a great injustice will finally be righted and our people will get access to justice," he said.

"This legislation will give iwi a real say in the management of the coastal areas in their tribal domains in a way that was never possible before."

The Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill will be debated in Parliament for the first time on Thursday.

It repeals the Foreshore and Seabed Act and replaces it with a new regime announced in June after agreement had been reached with the Maori Party and iwi leaders had given it a less than enthusiastic endorsement.

"Our rights as New Zealanders in the marine and coastal area are not in conflict," Mr Finlayson said when he released the bill.

"This bill, unlike the Foreshore and Seabed Act which it replaces, treats all New Zealanders, including Maori, without discrimination and recognises that we all have legitimate and longstanding interests in this part of our heritage."

Under the new legislation the foreshore and seabed will be removed from Crown ownership and will become a common space with public access guaranteed.

Existing private titles will not be affected but there will not be any new ones.

Iwi will be able to seek customary title through negotiation with the Government or through the High Court, and to gain that title they will have to prove exclusive use and occupation since 1840.

Where the right to customary title can be proved, it will sit alongside the common area rights of public access, fishing, navigation and existing uses.

The previous government passed the Foreshore and Seabed Act following a 2003 Court of Appeal ruling in the Ngati Apa case which raised the possibility, in some narrow instances, for Maori customary title to be converted into freehold title.

That had the potential to put parts of the coastline under Maori control, and Labour legislated against it.

Widespread Maori opposition culminated in Tariana Turia leaving the Labour Party and forming the Maori Party, which vowed to see the Act repealed.

NZPA

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Comments [23]

Jim
28 Sep 2010 4:05p.m.

Isabelle
In God we Trust is just the latest inconvenient "Gore", the likes of which I have been trying to rid myself (and the world) of for years. Thankfully, his audience is only scraps compared to the rogue Gore's.
Naomi
I would not leave anything in the hands of the UN (and look how bad Bin-Laden is making NATO look), as their bumbling politics make our politicians look like "the wonder ones"!!!

Cathy
23 Sep 2010 2:27p.m.

An interesting series of interactions I must say. Now for my perspective. I see the pitiful soul of In God We Trust has re-emerged to spit some more venom on those who dare to challenge what I see as his twisted and bigoted opinions. Yes, non-Maori lawyers do work for Maori as there appears to be no one else capable of making a good coherent argument as In God We Trust proves. And that’s not to mention the non Maori lawyers are also paid well by the cash strapped Iwi fresh from previous generous amounts paid to them by sympathetic (in the purest sense) Governments who wish to move on and leave the frivolous ‘Treaty’ claims behind because of the damage the claims are doing to the NZ of today. Unfortunately, it’s people like In God We Trust who still live in the past and don’t give a damn about anyone else or the damage they are doing to the other 85% + of the population. This minority group only care about their selfish selves and what they can get out of the process at everyone else’s expense. No-one can deny anyone’s right to feel sorry for themselves and to wallow in their own imaginations and self pity while wandering around with their blinkers on looking for supporters to comfort them. But when their actions impinge on the vast majority of others in a negative way, enough is enough.

Naomi Noeckam
23 Sep 2010 12:26p.m.

Damn you rednecks Jim, Paora and Dave go away; you’re disturbing the peace. We’ve (Pakeha) been manipulated by the Crown and now we stand to lose out severely. Keep your mouth shut because really you guys are going to make the outcome worst when Maori through international support regain what’s rightfully theirs. In God we Trust has very valid arguments and in some weird way I feel he/she knows something that we don’t know and/or has a sense where politically power shift is going to occur and how that may happen. I for one will be looking out for his/her post as unlike Jim, Paora and Dave stupidity and discriminative inference just don’t cut it for me. You guys need to lie down and die so to speak. Accept it for the journey not the result. Dust yourselves off you’ll be back hopefully of sounder mind. Returning landlord status to Maori isn’t such a big deal considering all the historic criminal acts committed by our ancestors and us by association i.e. illegal occupation of stolen land; we need to resolve the issue once and for all. Admit fault give back what isn’t ours, reconstitute our constitution and move on together. The alternative could be far more severe if the likes of the UN and NATO have anything to do with the reforming of Aotearoa. So take my advice and tone down because you are making it worst for the rest of us.

Dave
23 Sep 2010 10:09a.m.

Thats too much over the top 'Isabelle McDonald' or should I say 'In God We Trust'. Clearly you haven't the gumption to reply in his usual pseudonym. Also, self praise is no recommendation as the saying goes and I guess that proves the point. Clearly you haven't taken the advice to lance the boil between your shoulders, but then some people just never learn.

In God we Trust
23 Sep 2010 9:35a.m.

Jim, Paora, Dave your pitiful twisted attempt to destroy the soul of Maoridom is not working nor will it ever gain any traction. Your argument is ancient and lacks substance though revealing of an insecure psychopathic bigot.

Clever people know to side with court rulings and significant historical events. What did it for you Jim of multiple entities was it that the Queen apologized to Maori for the illegitimate historical crimes Pakeha committed or was it that Maori are successful in the Treaty claims with many more to come. Or maybe its that Maori have been right all along and Pakeha lawyers are winning the fight for Maori.

People like you Jim don’t deserve the right to interact with Aotearoa moving forward; instead you and your disturbed entities should remove yourself from this pristine land and colonize the sewage treatment plants where you all will quite easily blend in with your surroundings. Off you go Jim, Paora and Dave. Dumb people will always reveal their stupidity and like a true dummy will you know better than most how the story ends, bigots.

Thanks Isabelle glad to know that lessons are being taught re: thought pieces. In the States being more liberal and non-bias in it’s teachings doctorate law students find it effortless to factually argue anything. Jim, Paora and Dave are easy targets simply because the evidence they present is of no relevance to the argument. Absolute fools! Imbeciles to be exact! There are better arguments that they could use but they’re not clever enough. For now it’s entertaining to see dumb people acting dumb and dumber people joining in. It’s hilarious, will make a great reality show titled Dumb & Dumber hosted by bigot Jim and assistant panelist Paora (make believe) Maori with a masters degree who supports oppressing his own people and Dave the d*ckweed single brain cell idiot with zero analytical brain capacity redneck. So so funny ha ha ha

Isabelle McDonald
23 Sep 2010 7:46a.m.

Wow Paora In God we Trust delivered a good knockout punch I’m surprised your back wanting more. Do you actually have anything of relevance to say other than dodging the facts? Wake up and smell the coffee Paora you’re a looser on many levels.

In God we Trust I and my law class really enjoyed reading your solid factual arguments. I’m intrigued on how one could reference current laws to apply to historical acts of crimes; especially those that are yet to have justice served. Great work In God we Trust your thought pieces will I’m sure be published one day and taught throughout law faculties here in NZ and abroad.

Paora.
22 Sep 2010 9:29p.m.

Thanks Dave. Looks like the loser has had his last bow and 'In God We Trust' has run out of gumption. Not that he ever had anything of value to contribute anyway. Even if he has one more shot of puffery I won't be replying.

Dave
21 Sep 2010 1:44p.m.

Well well look at what we have here. 'In God We Trust', an anti white activist with a pimple head, and an honest Maori 'Paora' with apposing points of view. To 'In God We Trust' I pick up on your point about the shame of living on blood lands as you put it, so I take it you are not descendant from any Iwi North of Stewart Island or anywhere this side of the Chathams? While Paora seems to have it together and thriving, 'In God We Trust' seems lost in his 'Oh Woe Is Me' world of his own imagined lost opportunities and stumbling into the future with his befuddled view of the past that taints his chances of getting anywhere. I agree with Paora. When that chip on the shoulder of 'In God We Trust' comes to a head, it would best for all it was either lanced or squeezed. To 'In God We Trust', I say it is time you get a meaningful life and learn to move on without the hatred and bitterness you display. Bigots like you have no place in a harmonious society and it is time you accept this simple truth.

Paora
20 Sep 2010 6:15p.m.

My dear unfortunate 'In God We Trust' While my academic background is obviously of more interest to you than yours is to me, I can let you on that one of my university qualifications includes a masters in Maori studies. The only learning you have displayed is to attack when you are cornered, but because that is probably nothing more than your street fighters instinct showing your true background and I shall at least give you credit for that. But nothing else. One day hopefully you can develop some worthwhile learning to know there is more to life than looking backward all the time, but till then, I seriously suggest you work hard to get rid of the massive chip on your shoulders or perhaps when it comes to a head, squeeze it.

In God we Trust
16 Sep 2010 6:03p.m.

Paora you are an idiot if you expect Maori & non-Maori Maori supporters to be coerced by your colonial driven propaganda. I presented several solid clear counter arguments refuting anti Maori self determination motives & you instead attempt pitifully to refute the claims without any facts at all; what an idiot! Your alliance with Jim speaks for itself. Dumb people align with dumb people.

Contrary to the fact I am yet to lose an argument compared to your babble that’s of no interest to any learned person other than the dumb allies that you seek assurance from.

Paora you need advice on how to handle the shame of loosing; Jim has a good track record & needs to be commended for showing character by coming back. Unfortunately that’s where it stops & like you Paora believing in your fable arguments as being far superior than the courts rulings in favour of Maori you & those like you by nature are displaying the ignorance and arrogance that we as a nation should be avoiding in favour of moving forward collectively.

In your arguments Paora fueling a lost cause incites anti-Maori anarchist backlash from true blue colonial rule supporters (rednecks) who just can’t get over the big chip on their shoulders that Maori have been right all along and that Maori have legitimate claims. Paora, there’s nothing shameful about being right idiot!

The shame of living on blood land is justifiable; it’s certainly not something to be proud neither of nor worth arguing the post treaty insidious act of stealing land & occupying it is honourable. The reason why you’re incapable of engaging in an intellectual discussion is because you’re not an intellect. Don’t place yourself to be what you aren’t, you’ve already expressed your level of intelligence & dumb doesn’t register on the intellect scale.

Your profile surprises me why one presumably of Maori heritage acts to use dumb arguments that are assimilation driven to oppress your own people … it’s an interesting observation.

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