Government Unleashes Fury

The Treaty Tribes Coalition is dismayed that the Government has rejected outright its proposed solution to the foreshore and seabed issue that would have removed the anger from the issue and upheld the rule of law.

“Pakeha are angry about this issue. Maori are angry about this issue. We went today in good faith to try to settle the issue down for the benefit of all New Zealanders. The Government effectively told us it would proceed regardless, at huge risk to New Zealand’s race relations,” Coalition Chairman Harry Mikaere said today.

The Coalition would now work with all political parties in Parliament to defeat the Government’s “divisive” legislation.

The Coalition was commenting after releasing a submission rejected by Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen and presented to all other political leaders.

Coalition chairman Harry Mikaere, of Hauraki Iwi, said Coalition members were extremely disappointed by the Government’s attitude, as would be any New Zealander who cared about the rule of law.

He said the Government’s proposed legislation violated the rule of law. It has also been criticised as special treatment for Maori and as the greatest property confiscation in New Zealand’s history, while creating racial tension and dividing New Zealand.

“The proposed legislation cannot be supported by any New Zealander of goodwill,” Mr Mikaere said. “It is not consistent with the principle of one rule of law for all New Zealanders and it is not in the interests of racial harmony in New Zealand that it be introduced to Parliament.”

The Treaty Tribes Coalition is confident it can assemble the numbers in Parliament to defeat any legislation on the issue having met with United Future Leader Peter Dunne, Greens Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons, New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters and National Party Leader Don Brash.

“This legislation would divide New Zealand. It must be stopped. We are confident the numbers can be assembled to do that – possibly at the introduction stage but certainly after any select committee hearings,” Mr Mikaere said.

The Coalition – which has always sought Pakeha support – will now launch an advertising campaign against the legislation based on the theme “One Rule of Law for All New Zealanders”.

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