Finding the law to replace Foreshore Act 

Source: ONE News

Attorney-General Chris Finlayson is in charge of finding a replacement for the Foreshore and Seabed Act which has cross-party support in Parliament.

Prime Minister John Key said on Monday the legislation was likely to be repealed, but not until the government knew what's going to be put in its place.

It will almost certainly be the most difficult legislative exercise the government has embarked on, as it was for the previous government which introduced the Act.

"I would very much hope we would reach out right across Parliament," Key said.

"I think it's in New Zealand's interest to ultimately get to a point where there's very wide cross-party support - and that we get to a point where all parties vote for a replacement."

Key said Finlayson understands the area of law very well.

"He's working closely with the Maori Party and I understand he's starting to have discussions with other parties," Key said.

"He's working through a complex piece of legislation and I've told him I don't think he should rush."

Key said the Government had a sense of the expectations New Zealanders had.

"And they have my absolute assurance that those expectations will be met."

The controversial Act followed a 2003 Court of Appeal ruling in the Ngati Apa case that made it possible, in some instances, for Maori customary title to convert into freehold title.

That raised the possibility of parts of the foreshore and seabed coming under Maori control, and potentially the restriction of public access to the coastline.

The previous government was not prepared to accept that and legislated against the ruling, causing widespread unrest among Maori and the resignation from the Labour Party of Tariana Turia who went on to form the Maori Party.

The National government appointed a panel to review the Act as part of its post-election deal with the Maori Party.

It recommended repeal of the Act and said interim legislation should be put in place until the politicians had worked out a way to recognise Maori rights to coastal areas.

Cabinet discussions yesterday were part of the process, Key said.