Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Govt delays opened door to worst case scenario


Govt delays opened door to worst case scenario

"Government paralysis on the foreshore and seabed legislation has opened the door to the worst case scenario for all New Zealanders," says National Party Treaty of Waitangi and Constitutional Issues spokesman Wayne Mapp.

He's referring to reports today that suggest a Maori Land Court Judge has cleared the way for a big Maori coastal claim to go ahead, which in turn could lead to the granting of freehold title over hundreds of kilometres of coastline.

"The Government's inability to make a quick decision on this is clearly to blame.

"Once the door has been opened, it will be hard to close again," says Dr Mapp.

"The Maori Land Court is already planning two more hearings, in Hawera and Wanganui.

"The Government should deliver on the promise to 'fast-track' legislation if the Maori Land Court heard cases in the interim.

"For the past ten months Labour could have moved at any time to stop this happening, by doing what Margaret Wilson and Helen Clark initially said they would do, confirming Crown title.

"In a bid to hold off the threat of freehold title being granted over the foreshore in the short term, the Government could have also appealed the Ngati Apa Court of Appeal ruling to the Privy Council. But Labour's ideologically driven push for a Supreme Court has also denied New Zealanders that opportunity," says Dr Mapp.


Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

Featured News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.