The Government is to review the controversial Foreshore and Seabed Act, as part of its deal with the Maori Party.
According to party co-leader Turiana Turia, Maori should be allowed to head back to the courts to ask – ‘who owns the beaches?’
The act caused division in the Labour Party when it was originally mooted and led to the formation of the Maori Party.
Almost 20,000 marched on Parliament in 2004 to protest the original act. It was known as the Foreshore and Seabed hikoi.
Maori were furious the Labour Government had denied a group of Maori their day in court – an iwi who had wanted to test who owned the beaches.
So far, Prime Minister John Key is on the Maori Party’s side – he says the law is hideous and changes are needed.
“We go in open-minded – it’s quite possible we will find a different and better solution,” says Mr Key.
Ms Turia wants the current law repealed.
“The issue is about the mana of the iwi to have authority over their land and their seas.”
Mr Key says all New Zealanders must continue to have unfettered access to beaches but would not be drawn as to whether he was happy with the courts having the final say over the matter.
Richard Bradley represents one of the iwi that was initially denied a ruling in the courts.
He says he is “really hopeful” that their grievances will be heard.
The ACT party were also in support of the move.
Maori party co-leader Dr Pita Sharples says he expected any law change to give more power to Maori but when asked what he would want to happen if the review team recommended nothing change he replied jokingly:
“Oh well, we’ll probably sack them and put another group up.”
Jokes aside, this review also potentially opens up a can of worms – the issue goes to the very heart of the Maori Party’s existence.
Mr Key can expect negotiations to be tough.
3 News