Foreshore a 'weeping sore' - Key

Prime Minister John Key says the current foreshore and seabed legislation is about customary rights. Photo / Dean Purcell

The foreshore and seabed issue is a "weeping sore" that is not going to go away in a hurry, Prime Minister John Key says.

A government-appointed review panel last week released its report on the Foreshore and Seabed Act, recommending its repeal and saying interim legislation should be put in place until the politicians work out a way to recognise Maori rights to coastal areas.

"The current foreshore and seabed legislation is about customary rights," Mr Key told TV One's Breakfast.

"The review panel's come out and said the absolute birthright of every New Zealander was access to the beach."

Freehold absolute title was "not on the table", Mr Key said.

"They (Maori) don't want to be able to alienate and sell land, the feedback we've been getting is that compensation is not a big part of it."

Appearing on TVNZ's Q&A programme yesterday, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said the review had been stacked to get an outcome that would see some Maori claiming ownership of coastal areas.

"It's a can of worms and for this country's long term future, it's disastrous," Mr Peters said.

"They're not arguing customary right as just a proprietary or a temporary right that can pass from generation to generation, they're arguing about title ... they're arguing something separatist."

Mr Peters' appearance on the show was his first extended interview since NZ First failed to win a seat in the 2008 election.

Also on Q&A, Maori Party MP Hone Harawira said the foreshore issue had never been about monetary compensation but the Act had "stolen" the foreshore and seabed from Maori.

"When you take something away from people illegally then they've got to be compensated somewhere down the track," Mr Harawira said.

- NZPA