Foreshore Act likely to be scrapped 

Source: ONE NewsRough seas at Bethells Beach on Auckland's West Coast

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The Foreshore and Seabed Act looks likely to be scrapped and Maori could be in for millions of dollars of compensation.

The 2004 Act gave ownership of the foreshore and seabed to the Crown and stopped Maori seeking customary title through the courts.

However, a review deems the Act severely discriminatory against Maori and says the process should be started again, and it suggests that Maori should receive cash settlements that could be worth millions of dollars.

But the Maori Party says compensation is not top of their agenda and that it came as a surprise.

"The compensation is something that's come up as the judical aspect of the review. It had nothing to do with the Maori Party's existence. In fact when the compensation issue came out of the report yesterday we were quite surprised by it. It's something the courts will have to deal with. It's not something we live for and it's not something we're planning for," said Maori Party MP Hone Harawira on Breakfast on Thursday morning.

The review also recommends any new legislation make clear that all New Zealanders should have access to the beaches.

The Maori Party says they hope the government involves all New Zealanders when reviewing the Act.

"There are some recommendations in the report and I think that needs to be canvassed widely, not just with Maori but with the rest of the country as well. So that something we come out with deals with customary rights, with public access, that deals with property rights issues - all those things," Harawira says.

The Maori Party says it is optimistic that public consultation will see the Act eventually scrapped, as recommended by a special review.

Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson says on a fundamental level the Foreshore and Seabed Act has been a source of discord for the past five years and the discontent has not evaporated.

Going forward, it recommends either a national policy approach or regional negotiations between hapu and the government.

What do you think is the way forward with the Foreshore and Seabed Act? Have your say below

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robisme ; 2009-07-06 @ 22:58 NZDT  

This is absurd and blatently racist. This is not an issue of customary rights but a foot in for a single party to benefit. Maori are not disadvantaged, they are given no lesser right than any other New Zealander, and simply that, equal rights. Lets remember that this is not discriminatory of Maori, but discriminatory or all non-Maori New Zealanders.

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wootheboo ; 2009-07-02 @ 11:46 NZDT  

I think Maori customery rights under the Treaty of Waitangi should be recognised and treated accordingly. I do not think compensation should open up another gravy train for Treaty Lawyers to feather their nest. It does not help Maori on the street or in need. All New Zealanders, some like mine whose families have been here pre treaty, are Islanders and the sea is a part of us also. All parties must respect rules and regulations. I don't want foriegn ownership of our seabed and foreshore.

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