Opponents say 'I told you so' to Foreshore claims

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Opponents say 'I told you so' to Foreshore claims

3News NZ

Three Maori groups are making claims on Motiti Island, in the Bay of Plenty

Three Maori groups are making claims on Motiti Island, in the Bay of Plenty

By Patrick Gower

The opponents told you to worry about the Government's Foreshore and Seabed Law, and now politicians like Winston Peters are saying "I told you so".

See the list of beaches under claim

See the list of Court Applications

See the list of claims sent to the Government

Inquiries by 3 News show Maori are now claiming customary title to more than 20 beaches, and three Maori groups are making claims on one small island - Motiti Island, in the Bay of Plenty.

The three different groups are competing against each other for effective ownership - customary title of the coast.

The Motiti claims are among 21 different areas of coastline now under 24 claims for title under the Marine and Coastal Area Bill.

The latest include:

+ Matauri Bay and the Cavalli Islands in the North

+ the foreshore around New Plymouth

+ and Onauku Bay in Queen Charlotte Sound.

Of the three-way battle for Motiti, Winston Peters says he knew this would happen all along.

“As predicted there’s going to be Maori against Maori, Maori against Pakeha and the rest of the population. This is going to be the disaster we forecast it to be,” says Mr Peters.

But it is not just more of the coast under claim, it is now the delicacy on your plate too - the great Kiwi pastime whitebaiting.

Under the claims lodged, three groups want customary rights to whitebaiting in southern Taranaki near Hawera.

But the Government says other law overrides the new foreshore law and they will not get it.

“If they wanted to claim for whitebait under the Marine and Coastal Area Bill they would literally be pushing whitebait up a river,” says Chris Finlayson.

But Mr Peters says Mr Finlayson is downplaying the issue.

“Of course Finlayson would say that but he’s trying to dull down public anxiety. The reality is they are claiming rights inshore now.”

The Maori Party says the claim has substance - especially if the whitebaiting has been happening uninterrupted since 1840.

“I think if iwi have been practising that as part of gathering their kai then certainly…,” says Tariana Turia.

With two dozen beaches being claimed, and now the whitebait, the Government says there is nothing to fear. But the opponents are claiming they "told you so".

Beaches under claim:

 

3 News

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Comments

17/09/2012 7:08:57 a.m.

David smit wrote:

Chur ma Maori stay strong :D

19/06/2012 12:15:53 p.m.

Raymond Beacham wrote:

The Maoriori were here before we all arrived. we are all one people, no one should own the foreshore and seabed. this must be controlled by the N.Z. government

28/05/2012 11:58:32 a.m.

L'raine wrote:

Firstly Andrew, do you really no what you are talking about the Maori got blankets and muskets from the European, so if they want their land and fore shore back then we want our blankets and muskets back fair trade. As for the Maori wanting all the land and beached number 1 no one can own the sea as it is never the same is always changing, Is not New Zealand supposed to be One (1) country one (1) people. Not from where I am seeing this from. Just like Australia, mind you everything Australia does New Zealand has to follow like lambs to the slaughter.

26/05/2012 1:04:09 p.m.

Wayne Ridley wrote:

We have enough water and sea food if it it not abused which I have enjoyed for many years and hope my children & grand & great grand children can also enjoy when is greed and selfishness possessness and money grabbing going to stop

25/05/2012 1:25:45 a.m.

NATIVE wrote:

IGNORANCE OR IS IT ARROGANCE

16/05/2012 3:11:20 p.m.

Clare Richards wrote:

The beaches and sealife should remain the ownership of all New Zealanders. I am very worried that the result of MMP is deal done between minority parties. The National Govt. know that the majority of New Zealanders want to retain ownership - they are selling us out!

16/05/2012 3:02:31 p.m.

Kelvin Brown wrote:

I believe all our beaches and foreshore's should stay under Crown Control, and also not sold to overseas buyers.

16/05/2012 9:54:19 a.m.

Robert Paulin wrote:

The Local Maori at Te Kaha dreamed up a charge for boat launching at School House bay on east cape 15 years ago with no legal right. Those who think they will be unaffected by the new Sea Bed and Fore shore claims are Naive. When considered in the light of asset sales and continuing sales of real estate to offshore interests, all New Zealand citizens run the risk of becoming tenants in their own country, largely through individual greed facilitated by the Government. National are proving to be good facilitators at present. It is more important now than it has ever been to focus our attention and resources on the greater good of all New Zealand Citizens and to look and plan for a prosperous future.

14/05/2012 5:43:16 p.m.

john wrote:

maybe its time to read the book the great divide.?

14/05/2012 10:58:11 a.m.

Andrew wrote:

Good to see that Maori are still sticking to their guns, they land was the only asset to be sold, stolen. The Treaty claims has allowed for under 1% of what was taken to be handed back to the people of those areas. Now some Maori have the opportunity to demand their supermarket back(THE SEA), this was never sold ,swapped, or taken illegally by non Maori but now some non Maori want the government to have ownership. What, so it can sell water space to non New Zealander's. This belongs to Maori and they should be the custodians of this resource.