Don Brash MP National Party Leader
19 April 2005
Beach ownership on Ngati Porou agenda
National Party Leader Don Brash is expecting more Maori to follow Ngati Porou’s lead and start direct negotiations with
Labour over the ownership of our coast.
“This is just what National warned of when Labour passed its sham foreshore and seabed legislation.
“Right through the process, Labour MPs were telling Maori that they would still be able to claim ownership of our
coast, by negotiating directly with the Crown.”
Dr Brash is commenting on a row that has erupted after news broke that Ngati Porou is secretly negotiating ownership of
the entire East Coast coastline.
Ngati Porou’s website says: ‘Since the signing of the Terms of Negotiation between Ngati Porou and the Crown last year
negotiations have got underway proper. We are working towards a heads of agreement which recognises the ownership
interests that Ngati Porou whanau and hapu hold. The aim is to have this heads of agreement completed by the end of June
this year. (2005)’
“Labour has been busy trying to silence other Maori groups planning to lodge claims over the coast until after the
election.
“At least the cat is now out of the bag, and New Zealanders will be able to decide at the election whether they want a
continuation of these kinds of divisive policies.
“National believes the foreshore and seabed should belong to all New Zealanders regardless of their race,” says Dr
Brash.
ENDS