A sombre hikoi of 300-400 people protested against the government's new foreshore legislation in the rain at Parliament today.
Debate continues on the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill today and it will probably pass later in the week.
The hikoi left Cape Reinga on March 14.
Mournful speeches and songs were delivered as politicians looked on and National MP Tau Henare accepted a parcel containing the Maori Party and New Zealand flags and copies of the legislation. Under his breath he said it was going in the bin.
When asked what he thought of the event Attorney-General Chris Finlayson said all he got out of it was "wet."
Independent MP Hone Harawira told reporters that Mr Henare showed his level of intelligence and Mr Finlayson demonstrated a lack of respect.
The Marine and Coastal Area Bill repeals the 2004 Foreshore and Seabed Act and replaces it with legislation that restores to Maori the right to seek customary title to parts of the coastline through the High Court or by negotiation with the government.
National, the Maori Party and United Future support the bill, giving the government a slender majority, while the other major parties oppose it for different reasons.
Labour says it won't deliver a durable settlement because it doesn't have widespread support, Act argues it gives preferential treatment to Maori, and the Greens say it discriminates against Maori.
The bill is also opposed by Mr Harawira, who quit the Maori Party last month mainly over his outspoken criticism of the legislation and his claims that the government was passing anti-Maori laws.
NZPA
Tue, 22 Mar 2011
Tue, 22 Mar 2011
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Tears as hikoi gathers at Parliament
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