Prime Minister John Key will meet shortly with the Maori Party to discuss the future of foreshore and seabed legislation.The Government's preferred option was to put the foreshore and seabed into the public domain so no one can own it.Maori would be able
Prime Minister John Key will meet shortly with the Maori Party to discuss the future of foreshore and seabed legislation.
The Government's preferred option was to put the foreshore and seabed into the public domain so no one can own it.
Maori would be able to seek customary rights through the courts, but not freehold title.
That has been rejected by the Iwi Leaders Group which is negotiating with the Government, and Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia said on Friday the policy "may be a bridge too far for our people".
The outcome of Mr Key's meeting would be discussed by cabinet, and Mr Key will be asked about it at his post-cabinet press conference later this afternoon.
Mr Key said National's agreement with the Maori Party was to "put it on the table, go through the review process and try and come up with something that was better".
He has said that if the Maori Party and Government could not come to an agreement over replacement legislation the current Foreshore and Seabed Act would remain in place.
Whatever the outcome, Mr Key said he did not believe National would lose the Maori Party's support.
There would be no freehold title of the foreshore and seabed as a result of any changes, everyone would have access to the beaches and the foreshore could not be sold if some gets customary title, he said on TVNZ's Breakfast.
He also believed customary title would not be easily won.
