Foreshore legislation hikoi heads to capital

A hikoi against new foreshore legislation might not arrive in Wellington before the bill passes.

In 2004 when Labour passed the Foreshore and Seabed Act a hikoi travelled the length of the country swelling to about 20,000 before arriving in Wellington.

A hikoi of about 100 has left from Northland opposing the Government's replacement legislation, aiming to arrive in Wellington on Tuesday. However, the bill could be passed this week.

It repeals the previous law and gives iwi the ability to seek customary rights and customary title through negotiation with Government or the High Court - although they will still have to prove exclusive use and occupation since 1840.

The bill removes the foreshore and seabed from Crown ownership and makes it a public place - essentially the same as a public domain - with access guaranteed and no one having the right to sell any of it.

Attorney-General Chris Finlayson said he hoped the bill would pass by the end of the week but that depended on MPs and if any tried to deliberately delay the process.

Some parties were putting up amendments but they did not impress him, he said.

Mr Finlayson said the hikoi could gather momentum and it was hard to say if it would get to Wellington in time.

"I think there are about five or 10 who have left Kaitaia, whether it gathers momentum as they march through the towns we will wait and see. It all depends what waylays them as they travel down the island."

Labour leader Phil Goff said his party would continue to oppose the bill and he criticised the process.

"The whole process has been undemocratic from the start. A 500-page report given two hours cursory examination by the select committee, pushing it through under the shadow of the Christchurch earthquake, pushing it through when John Key promised if there was staunch opposition to it he would withdraw it. He has not kept that promise."

Mr Goff said not only 100 people in the hikoi were opposed to it.

"It's an overwhelming cross-section of New Zealanders that don't think it's a good idea."

The Maori Party formed over anger at the foreshore law and backed the Government bill - with the exception of Hone Harawira, who is now an independent MP.

Mrs Turia told reporters she supported the right of people to use a hikoi to protest and she would meet them when they came to Wellington.

The bill passed its second reading 62-56 last week and still has to go through its committee and third reading stages before becoming law. Mr Harawira missed the vote on the second reading but pledged today to be present for the remaining stages to voice his opposition.

The Government is changing the bill so that recognition of customary title would be given effect through legislation rather than signed off by Cabinet, meaning every case would get full Parliamentary and public scrutiny so opponents of the title would have multiple opportunities to revisit the case.

Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples previously told NZPA that was a blow but claims would stand on their own merit in the end.

Mr Harawira today said that he was surprised the Maori Party continued to support the bill given the change.

"That was part of the deal that they were supporting... I'm finding it difficult to see why the Maori Party is still supporting this bill."

There was strong opposition to the bill, he said.

"Maori people up and down the country, 71 of 72 submissions, opposed it, and I think it's right that at least one of us speaks out against this bill."

- NZPA