Changes should be made to replace foreshore and seabed legislation to reduce discrimination, the Human Rights Commission says.Chief Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan said the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill went some way to overcoming the injustice
Changes should be made to replace foreshore and seabed legislation to reduce discrimination, the Human Rights Commission says.
Chief Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan said the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill went some way to overcoming the injustices of the original Act.
"But there remain significant issues that have to be addressed if the law if to provide a just and durable solution," she said.
The commission made four main recommendations to the Maori Affairs select committee considering the replacement bill.
It suggested revising what it called the "high threshold" for iwi to prove exclusive use and occupation of land since 1840.
"The commission considers exclusive use a substantial barrier that ensures the recognition of customary rights will be extremely difficult to obtain."
The other recommendations were removing the requirement for those seeking customary title to file their claims within six years, expanding the common space -- the area that cannot be owned by anyone, and sharing the governance and administration of the marine and coastal area between local iwi, hapu and local and central government.
