17 June, 2004

Mixed kete for Maori in aquaculture allocation

The Green Party today welcomes the allocation of 20 per cent of marine farming space to Maori, as proposed by Fisheries Minster David Benson Pope this afternoon, but warned that the proposals do not provide an adequate solution to the difficulties faced by Maori interests in marine farming.

Metiria Turei, the Green Party's Maori Affairs Spokesperson, said that "Maori will have to pay coastal occupation charges for the use of the space, but because of the Foreshore and Seabed legislation will receive no rental share where they may have had customary title and had been entitled to it.

"The problem that led to the Foreshore and Seabed decision in the first place involved Maori trying to seek a fair process from local government for aquaculture space. None of those issues have been addressed or resolved by this proposal.

"Until the full details around the Resource Management Act are clarified Maori remain in a state of extreme uncertainty over their rights to marine farming resource allocation.

"All the Government has done is to say they'll give 20 per cent allocation but they've made no effort to remedy the issues between local government and Maori applicants."

ENDS

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