UPDATED 3.45pm Coastal Coalition spokeswoman Muriel Newman, speaking to NBR after her submission in Whangarei today, described the Maori Affairs select committee's handling of her submission as "very professional"."It's very rare
UPDATED 3.45pm Coastal Coalition spokeswoman Muriel Newman, speaking to NBR after her submission in Whangarei today, described the Maori Affairs select committee's handling of her submission as "very professional".
"It's very rare for a select committee to treat people disrespectfully. The question is whether they actually listen," she said.
Mr Harawira could not be reached for comment.
Maori Party MP Hone Harawira and the Coastal Coalition were among those scheduled to speak today on the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill.
The Maori Affairs Select Committee – of which Mr Harawira is usually a member – met in Whangarei today to hear submissions on the bill.
The bill allows Maori to seek customary title to the foreshore if they can prove exclusive use and occupation of an area since 1840, without substantial interruption and in accordance with tikanga.
Mr Harawira's written submission claims that the bill breaches the Treaty of Waitangi by reducing customary title to a lesser status than private title, including by granting free public access to the entire marine and coastal area.
He challenged the test used to prove customary title as one "neither the Prime Minister nor the chairman of Ngai Tahu believe most Maori will be able to meet”.
His submission concluded that the bill “is not what we marched for in 2004”.
Mr Harawira is replaced on the committee by fellow MP Te Ururoa Flavell while the bill is under consideration, as members are required to have an open mind.
The Maori Party, excluding Mr Harawira, supported the bill's first reading.
The Coastal Coalition, an “independent grassroots organisation” claiming thousands of members and led by former Act MP Muriel Newman, also opposes the bill - though for dramatically different reasons to Mr Harawira.
The group claims that the bill would effectively privatise coastal areas to iwi.
The bill “essentially confiscates this priceless resource from public ownership so it can be transferred to iwi... a massive confiscation of public assets without the authority of the public.”
Other concerns include that the bill will create a new grievance industry and give Ministers “unbridled powers” to settle claims outside of the court system.
Attorney-General Chris Finlayson, the minister in charge of the bill, has labelled Coastal Coalition members “clowns” – prompting Dr Newman to call for him to be pulled from foreshore and seabed repeal duties.
“He should welcome public participation in the democratic process; he should not insult those who challenge his opinions as by doing so,” she wrote on her website yesterday.
“The Prime Minister simply cannot allow him to stay in that position when he is in clear breach of the high standards of behaviour set out in the Cabinet Manual.”
The Coastal Coalition is running a public campaign calling for the bill's repeal, including Q+A advertisements in newspapers.
Over 500 of the about 4,100 submissions on the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill requested an appearance before the select committee.
Hearings are expected to conclude by Christmas, with the committee due to report back to Parliament in late February next year.
Sign up to get the latest stories and insights delivered to your inbox – free, every day.
