Ports check rights to their operating areas

Port chiefs are checking ownership and access rights to the seabed and foreshore they operate on and say it is too early to say how the complex issue will affect them.

The issue ignited after the Appeal Court said the Maori Land Court could hear claims to the foreshore and seabed.

The Government plans to legislate a general principle that the foreshore and seabed is public domain with mechanisms to negotiate access with title holders and to pursue customary rights but not to the extent that they would give exclusive title.

Ports of Auckland, the country's busiest port company, said its legal advice was that the whole area used for port operations was on seabed the old Auckland Harbour Board had title to and customary rights had been alienated.

Wellington political lobbyist Barrie Saunders, who is handling the issue for 13 port chief executives, said the situation varied from port to port.

"The ports are taking it very seriously and each port situation is being checked."

Saunders said one issue being researched was the title to land reclaimed in the future, but again there was no answer.

Ports have generally been increasing security, which restricts access, in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US.