KEY POINTS:
The coastal areas to be declared off-limits under a historic deal between the Crown and Maori will stay secret for another three months.
Each sacred wahi tapu area was to be specified in documents submitted to the court last week, meeting a deadline specified in the first agreement arrived at under the Foreshore and Seabed Act.
But Attorney General Chris Finlayson has announced an extension to the deadline required for filing the documents.
He said Ngati Porou had sought the extension to study the upcoming review of the act.
"This will also allow more time for ministers in the new government to become familiar with the proposed areas before finalising and filing Crown documents."
The Foreshore and Seabed Act agreement allows Ngati Porou to identify areas of the foreshore as wahi tapu and off-limits because they are sacred.
The iwi is also given the authority to police those areas and fine trespassers up to $5000.
The chosen areas need to be approved by the High Court - and require affidavits of support from the Government, represented by Finlayson, and Dr Pita Sharples, as Minister of Maori Affairs.
Ngati Porou have so far refused to identify areas that will be wahi tapu.
The issue has become fraught, with Prime Minister John Key promising beaches would be open to all Kiwis.
Ngati Porou has refused to detail the areas that will be off limits.
In an earlier statement Finlayson said that: "The Crown has not recognised any particular wahi tapu areas under the deed.
"Any proposed wahi tapu area must be recognised by both the Crown and hapu of Ngati Porou before it can be designated under the deed."
