NZ First leader promises foreshore fight
If New Zealand First gets back into Parliament at this year's election it will fight to repeal the new foreshore legislation.
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If New Zealand First gets back into Parliament at this year's election it will fight to repeal the new foreshore legislation.
The Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill which repeals the Foreshore and Seabed Act and restores to Maori the right to seek customary title to parts of the coastline through the courts or by negotiation with the Government passed into law yesterday by 63 votes to 56.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters was a minister in the Labour-led coalition government which implemented the 2004 Act.
"This legislation has been enacted solely because of a backroom deal between National and the Maori Party. It will only benefit a few Treaty travellers and corporate Maori who stand to make a killing off a resource that rightfully belongs to everyone," Mr Peters said today.
"Some coastal Maori have customary historical rights relating to the foreshore. That was recognised in the previous legislation as was shown when the East Coast iwi Ngati Porou reached a beneficial deal with the Crown over their customary rights."
Mr Peters said the new bill would do lasting harm to race relations and would see areas of the coastline end up privatised and sold overseas.
"Access to our coastal areas is our birthright and these areas must be held in trust by the Crown on behalf of all New Zealanders in perpetuity."
The Government says the bill guarantees public access.
NZPA
Fri, 25 Mar 2011
Fri, 25 Mar 2011
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NZ First leader promises foreshore fight
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