Bad faith John needs to listen to Maori

John Key is again acting in bad faith by unilaterally announcing a take it or leave it foreshore and seabed deal that clearly does not have buy–in from Maori, said the Green Party today.

“This is another example of the Key Government's failure to negotiate with Maori in good faith and respect the rights of Maori. We have seen this repeated pattern with Auckland supercity, Tuhoe negotiations and the foreshore and seabed, said Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei.

“Why is John Key saying that it is ok for there to be 12,500 private titles over the foreshore and seabed but that Maori have no right to have their title investigated by the courts? This is clearly unfair and creates a legal double standard with Maori rights being treated as inferior.

“John Key's proposal is essentially the same as the Labour regime and still amounts to a confiscation of Maori title, Mrs Turei said.

The Green Party has always opposed the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004 because it fails to provide environmental protection and is a confiscation of Maori customary title.

“Our position has always been that Maori should have the right to go to Court to have their customary rights confirmed. While, of course, public access to beaches should be maintained, this does not mean that Maori should be singled out to have their legal rights removed.

“We have argued from the start that Te Ture Whenua Maori Act should be amended to make sure that foreshore and seabed land can never be sold. Hapu are fighting for their mana moana and do not want it sold off. The last thing Maori or Pakeha want is for our beaches to fall into foreign, private ownership,” said Mrs Turei.

ENDS

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