Most Maori against new foreshore policy - poll

Only 11 percent of Maori think the Government's new foreshore and seabed policy is an acceptable solution to the controversial issue, a poll says.

The Horizon Research poll comes as legislation to replace the Foreshore and Seabed Act passed its second reading on Tuesday and the Maori Party claimed most Maori supported it.

The Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill has come under attack, with newly-independent MP Hone Harawira leading the way.

Mr Harawira denounced it in Parliament as racist -- then forgot to cast a vote after the second reading debate.

Horizon Research's poll of 1021 Maori showed only 0.4 percent said the bill, supported by the National and Maori parties, was "very acceptable", with 10.9 percent saying it was "acceptable".

Of respondents 31.3 percent said it was "unacceptable", with 9.9 percent saying it was totally unacceptable, 37.4 percent were neutral about the policy.

The poll found 72.1 percent cared about the seabed and foreshore customary rights issue, with 8.2 percent saying they do not care at all.

On a seperate issue, more than 71 percent of respondents believed they were inadequately or poorly consulted on issues by their iwi.

The poll, part of Horizon's new specialist Maori research service, has a maximum margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent, the pollsters said.

Mr Harawira, who quit the Maori Party last month amid disciplinary action against him, said this week the Maori Party was being "sold down the river" by the National Party and thousands of voters would walk away from it.

The bill passed its second reading and must go through its committee and third reading stages before becoming law.

It repeals the 2004 Foreshore and Seabed Act and restores to Maori the right to seek customary title to parts of the coastline through the High Court or by negotiation with the Government.

The Maori Party hit back yesterday saying most Maori supported the legislation,

Party president Pem Bird said "extensive consultations" showed there was overwhelming support for the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill.

"There is tight unity, inner strength and a steely resolve in the party at large which bodes well for our future prospects," he said.