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A United Nations human rights investigator is recommending changes to the Foreshore and Seabed Act.
UN special rapporteur, Rodolfo Stavenhagen, visited New Zealand in November last year when he met government and Maori representatives, to gather information for the report.
In his report, he recommends the Foreshore and Seabed Act be repealed or amended and says the Crown should engage in Treaty negotiations to recognise the inherent rights of Maori in that area. He also says there should be constitutional reform in New Zealand to entrench the Treaty of Waitangi and regulate the relationship between the government and Maori.
The Maori Party says its stance on the Foreshore and Seabed Act has been vindicated by the report. Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says the government should treat it seriously.
Prime Minister Helen Clark has dismissed the report, describing it as unbalanced.
But, the Federation of Maori Authorities says the UN report should force the government to reassess its position.
The federation's deputy chairman, Paul Morgan, says it has been pushing for changes outlined in the report. He says Maori opposed the Foreshore and Seabed legislation as it was contrary to due process and it is good to see an independent assessment of the situation.
Morgan says he is saddened by Clark's dismissal of the report.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen says the special rapporteur has gone well beyond his brief and while the report will be read and discussed, nothing much will happen.
The National Party says the report is a major embarrasment for the government, but it should be thrown in a rubbish bin.
