Wednesday Write In: Fight over foreshore

Fight over foreshore
A Citizens Initiated Referendum (CIR) is being conducted by people who were concerned about John Key and the National government passing the Marine and Coastal Area Act.
This Act surrendered Crown ownership of the foreshore and seabed to Maori activists and various tribal elite.
The CIR seeks to gain support for returning ownership of the foreshore and seabed to the Crown and hence all New Zealanders.
While this is one underlying reason for the action, another exists in the claim that National had no mandate to repeal Crown ownership in favour of one group of New Zealanders and further, John Key promised not to progress the then proposed Marine and Coastal Area Act unless there was strong support. The exact opposite was the case; there was overwhelming opposition.
So how did it happen? It is suggested that National's coalition with the Maori party via MMP led the way.
What has also happened is that the untapped mineral wealth and resources in our maritime region can now be claimed by a select group of New Zealanders. Surely the funds from exploiting these resources should be used to pay off our current debt and minimize our borrowing?
Strategic thinking seems to be lacking with our John Key-led national government!
If you're interested in helping, then please visit www.CoastalCoalition.co.nz and download a petition form for signing not only by yourself, but also by your like minded friends and associates.
A Thomas, Taradale
Don't discredit Jesus
Jesus, the Cold Case on TV1 - what a thinly disguised attempt to discredit the Christian faith! Bryan Bruce (unsuccessfully) pulled the Gospels to pieces, contending they were full of contradictions and outright lies about a Jewish peasant. What blasphemy! The Gospels are eye-witness accounts of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who declared "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life".
Much of the 'evidence' for Bryan's accusations came from liberal theologians who don't believe the basic tenets of the Christian faith: the Crucifixion and Resurrection. No Bible-believing Christian was interviewed at all.
Previous attempts have been made to disprove the resurrection of Jesus. A lawyer, Frank Morison, used his legal logic to try to prove it didn't happen, but the outcome of his honest investigations was just the opposite. After all the facts had been weighed, he was convinced of the truth - that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead. He wrote about his diligent research and its results in a compelling book, Who Moved the Stone?
The Apostles were executed for believing in Christ. In some countries today, Christians are still being martyred because they refuse to deny their faith in a living Saviour. (Who would give up their lives for a dead peasant?)
Margaret Burgess, Hastings
Plea for information
I'm not qualified to say whether amalgamation is the most appropriate course to move Hawke's Bay forward as a region.
What I need is more information to form my opinion. Unfortunately it seems that our representatives in Napier don't want to provide this information.
Mayor Arnott, I ask why the reluctance at Lawrence Yule's suggestion of an independent study? If the issues facing us are as grave as is suggested, surely the least we can do is consider the options.
K Thompson, Napier