Stop the Political Carve-up of Our Coast

Hilary Calvert, MP ACT New Zealand

Wednesday 10 November, 2010

Submissions close on the governments planned new Foreshore and Seabed Law on November 19th. If you like going to the beach, swimming, boating and fishing… THEN THIS SHOULD CONCERN YOU!

What does the new law do? Here are just a few examples;

It gives away our beaches and seabed via shady back-room deals

The Marine and Coastal Area Bill gives iwi the option to negotiate title to our beaches, directly with the Government behind closed doors – rather than openly through the courts.

This will pit iwi against iwi and where two competing iwi make a claim, the likely winner will be the one who can give the most support politically to the government. Meantime, the rest of us are in the dark and have no say.

Puts your right to free beach use at risk

ACT has secured an amendment that will guarantee free use, but the Māori Party, despite claiming to support free use, is furious and now question their support for the Bill. Don’t let them veto this.

Also, iwi will be allowed to declare parts of the beach to be ‘wāhi tapu’ – and charge for access or block access altogether to all non-iwi members. Māori wardens will patrol them and those in breach fined $5000.

Gives some iwi special legal privileges over all other New Zealanders

The Bill gives Customary Rights holders Resource Management Act permission rights.Commence an activity without that permission in a Customary Marine Title area and hefty fines will result-most of which go to the relevant iwi.

And while the rest of us are forced to abide by council planning restrictions on our properties; those with Customary Title get to develop their own plan and council must abide by it!

What can you do?

PLEASE MAKE A SUBMISSION AND ASK TO BE HEARD BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE.

Submissions close on 19 November. Tell them you wish to present your submission orally.

Convention is that those who ask to will be given time, at least 5 minutes. If you all ask for this, it will delay the Bill and give us all more time to let our MPs know what we think!

When writing a submission you should ask for the following changes:

1. That the Government restores the right for Maori to have their customary title heard in court – and only in court.

2. That the Government don’t let the Māori Party veto ACT’s amendment promising free use of the common marine and coastal area.

3. That the legislation provides a clear definition of ‘wāhi tapu’, rather than the current meaning which can differ from iwi to iwi.

You can mail your submission to the Committee Secretariat, Maori Affairs, Parliament Buildings, Wellington. For more information, and to make a submission online, go to www.parliament.nz and search for ‘Marine and Coastal Area Bill’. The closing date for submissions is 19 November 2010.

Email the power brokers

Tell the Prime Minister and the Attorney-General what you think as well as your local MP! The email address format is firstname.lastname@parliament.govt.nz.

Alternatively you can write to them freepost c/- Parliament Buildings, Wellington.

Help us spread the word

Please forward this email to friends and family. If you’d like to deliver the flyer on this issue around your neighbourhood, email karen.bridgman@parliament.govt.nz and tell her how many you’d like - or simply download and print - click here.

Want more information?

Email Hilary Calvert at hilary.calvert@parliament.govt.nz or John Boscawen at johnboscawen.mp@parliament.govt.nz

ENDS

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