Thu, 29 Jul 2004
Property Rights for the Foreshore and Seabed
Libertarianz spokesman for the deregulation of Mäori Affairs Tim Wikiriwhi today released the party's submission on the
Foreshore and Seabed Bill. He declared the submission "a clarion call for property rights and for the granting and sale
of rights in the Foreshore and Seabed".
"The nationalisation of the Foreshore and Seabed as proposed by Labour, Jim Anderton, the Alliance and the United Future
is wholeheartedly opposed by Libertarianz, as is the unprincipled pandering to fear by National on this issue" said Mr
Wikiriwhi.
The Libertarianz submission on the Bill argues "the Government should investigate means to develop property rights in
the foreshore and seabed, and options to transfer it to private ownership. This can be done in several ways. Title could
be granted in some cases for those demonstrating continuous usage, as some Mäori and non-Mäori could claim. It could be
granted to those with adjoining property rights, and some could simply be sold, with the proceeds used to help eliminate
state debt (and the interest that tax-victims pay on it)."
Wikiriwhi emphasised that "this would be a complicated exercise and require much work. However, there is ample evidence
that private property rights generate the greatest incentives to protect the environment - few owners want their
property to devalue and very few wish to be sued by neighbouring property owners for allowing their pollution to
trespass or be a nuisance. Officials should work on these issues, and report back to the Government"
"Libertarianz believes wholeheartedly in the defence of private property rights and the use of private property rights
as a tool to enhance the environment for people," Wikiriwhi concluded.
The submission will be available for download later today on the Libertarianz website, www.libertarianz.org.nz .
ENDS