Cabinet to discuss Seabed - report

Cabinet will today discuss whether to repeal the Foreshore and Seabed legislation, it has been reported.

On October 18 NZPA reported Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia saying a decision would be revealed within two weeks after her party president Whatarangi Winiata said the Government had agreed to repeal it.

The Dominion Post is now reporting that a paper outlining the Government's response would be discussed today.

The controversial Act followed a 2003 Court of Appeal ruling in the Ngati Apa case that made it possible, in some instances, for Maori customary title to convert into freehold title.

That raised the possibility of parts of the foreshore and seabed coming under Maori control, and fears that public access to beaches could be restricted.

The previous government was not prepared to accept that position and legislated against the ruling, causing widespread unrest among Maori and the resignation from the Labour Party of Mrs Turia, who went on to form the Maori Party.

The National government appointed a panel to review the Act. It recommended its repeal and said interim legislation should be put in place until the politicians worked out a way to recognise Maori rights to coastal areas.

Former National leader Don Brash, who caused racial tensions with his Iwi/Kiwi billboards, yesterday told TVNZ political programme Question and Answer he did not regret those ads but did think Maori should have retained the right to test cases in court.

- NZPA