Foreshore legislation 'best Christmas present' - Peters

4.00pm

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters today heaped praise on his own party for getting the Foreshore and Seabed Bill through Parliament, describing it as the best Christmas present the country could have.

As Maori activists voiced their outrage around the country, Mr Peters told a public meeting in Gisborne he had a message for them: "You have lost nothing -- you have a stake in the ownership of the foreshore and seabed through the Crown. Your customary rights are now secure."

NZ First was the only party in Parliament outside the Government to support the bill, and its 13 votes gave it a comfortable majority.

Mr Peters has said he will call public meetings in main centres to explain the legislation, and why he backed it.

Today's was the first, and he told the meeting NZ First had secured the beaches for everyone, for ever.

He accused "some Maori" of malicious deception and the creation of false hopes.

"We know who they are. Some of the same mischief makers have been bleeding the treaty industry for years," he said in a speech prepared for the meeting.

"They are cynical and manipulative and saw an opening to add to the grievance industry."

He also targeted the National Party, saying it had used the issue for its own political purposes.

Mr Peters is staking his party's popularity on its backing for the bill, and is personally fronting the campaign to sell it to voters.

"All New Zealanders can go to the beach this Christmas knowing that the seabed and foreshore is in Crown ownership for everyone for perpetuity," he said.

"No one can sell it off, everyone has secure access, and most importantly there is certainty about this."

The Government today answered threats to occupy beaches with a warning that any attempt to block access would meet the full force of the law.

Acting Prime minister Michael Cullen's statement followed a prediction by Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia that there would be occupations in protest against the Foreshore and Seabed Bill, passed by Parliament yesterday.

Other Maori activists vowed to campaign against the new law and warned of possible violence.

Dr Cullen said the Government would uphold equally the rights of access to the foreshore and seabed and the right to lawful, peaceful protest.

Dr Cullen said the provisions of the new law, which guarantees access to everyone, would be enforced.

"Attempts to prevent that will meet the full force of the law," he said.

"People should also remember the new law provides access rights in, on, over and across the foreshore and seabed.

"I urge all politicians to avoid provoking people into breaking the law."

Earlier today Ngati Rangiwewehi spokesman Te Uruoa Flavell said Maori were planning future protests, including the occupation of beaches.

Yesterday Ngati Kahu, an east coast iwi in the Far North whose rohe (district) includes the Doubtless Bay and Karikari Peninsula area, issued a statement saying goodwill between Maori landowners and the public since 1840 had run out with the bill's passage.

Two iwi spokesmen, Archdeacon Timoti Flavell and Atihana Johns, said Maori landowners in the Karikari Peninsula and Whatuwhiwhi areas had resolved to restrict access to beaches and foreshores where their land adjoined those coastal areas. Permits would be issued to gain access.

The same would apply to people fishing in the iwi's traditional fishing grounds who had no traditional rights to take fish.

Mataatua kaumatua Maanu Paul said the bill was nothing short of legal confiscation of Maori land and rights, which could lead to "bloodshed on the streets".

Mrs Turia, who quit the Labour Party and resigned from Parliament over the legislation, said Maori were angry.

"I don't want to see armed warfare but I certainly believe that people have a right to protest, to take peaceful action, in whatever way they choose," she said.

The bill confirms Crown ownership of the foreshore and seabed, and safeguards traditional rights of public access.

At the same time, it recognises Maori customary rights under strict criteria.

Maori opponents claim its denies them the right to seek customary title through the courts, and therefore takes away the constitutional right to legal process.

Labour's Maori MPs argue that it contains far stronger recognition of customary rights than previously existed, and provides for redress if those rights are not achieved.

The National Party opposed the bill all the way through its parliamentary process, warning that it would allow Maori to control large tracts of the foreshore and seabed.

In Hastings and Napier this morning, Ngati Kahungunu held peaceful protests outside the offices of Ikaroa-Rawhiti MP Parekura Horomia, the Minister of Maori Affairs, and Labour MP Russell Fairbrother.

Ngati Kahungunu chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana said the iwi accepted they had lost the battle to stop the bill being passed and would now "move on to the next battleground" by voting for the Maori Party.

"If a vote was held today all the Maori seats held by Labour would be lost to the Maori Party," Mr Tomoana said.

"Now it's a matter of keeping the hype up for a year, until the election. We'll keep the issue in our people's faces and make sure they get enrolled. The next battle will be at the ballot box."

- NZPA, - HAWKE'S BAY TODAY