Government beach talk light on details

By RUTH BERRY political reporter

The Government says the public's right to access beaches should be improved, but is being coy about how this may affect the rights of coastal property owners.

Lands Information Minister John Tamihere yesterday confirmed reports in the Weekend Herald revealing that more than a third of land along the New Zealand coastline was in private ownership.

Mr Tamihere and Prime Minister Helen Clark said the information dispelled myths that a Queen's Chain existed around the coast.

Mr Tamihere reiterated his assertion last week that significant chunks of the foreshore - "we're not talking hundreds" of kilometres - were also held in private ownership.

The pair said the information would embarrass National, raising questions about its Beaches For All campaign, which suggested it wanted to remove private property rights.

But National, to distribute half a million postcards featuring the campaign this week, angrily rejected this.

Leader Bill English said, "This is just a distraction tactic. Everyone knows that some beaches are inaccessible and that some of the foreshore is in private hands already.

"National is demanding that the Government act to confirm Crown ownership where there is doubt."

A land access report detailing concern over public access to the outdoors and recommending Government action would be issued within days, Helen Clark said.

"As an outdoors person myself I'm concerned that the New Zealand public does not have good access to the outdoors."

However she repeatedly evaded questions, from reporters and in the House, over whether any steps taken to improve public access would impinge on existing property rights.

Act deputy leader Ken Shirley said the Government would have to compensate owners, including Maori found to have customary title to the foreshore or seabed, if it sought to take their property rights away.

Mr Tamihere said the Government did not want to trample rights.

"All public and private ownership, as at the Court of Appeal decision, is safeguarded."

He did not want to discuss effects of extending access rights, although the Herald understands the land access report recommends this be achieved by mediation.

Mr Tamihere said of the 18,700km of New Zealand coastline - defined as land extending to the high-tide mark - up to 6600km might be in private ownership.

He refused to say how resolving the access to the outdoors issue would be tied in to the response to the foreshore and seabed issue. But he said it had to be remembered the Court of Appeal said if customary title existed "we do suspect it is minimal".

Asked whether Maori could succeed in gaining title over foreshore or seabed, he said "some type of title could exist but there would be public access. That's a possibility but I can't be nailed on that because a discussion document is coming out".

Helen Clark said that document would not now come out this week, and "I'm not going to rush out a proposal until it's been properly written."

Mr Tamihere also said:

* Any claim to customary rights would have to involve proof of continuous use.

* The Government's framework would attempt to deal with all claims involving the foreshore and seabed, including claims lodged with the Waitangi Tribunal.

* Ngai Tahu had signed up to a full and final settlement and would have "some problems" negotiating any further foreshore and seabed rights.