Helen Clark hits out at judge over East Coast claim

By RUTH BERRY and NZPA

Helen Clark yesterday criticised a Maori Land Court judge who ruled that a large Maori East Coast coastal claim can proceed.

Judge Caren Wickliffe said on Tuesday that she wanted the court to proceed with a hearing, despite Government plans to stop courts granting title to the foreshore and seabed.

The Prime Minister told One Network News she would have thought the Maori Land Court had "rather better things to do with its time".

She pointed out that an appeal to the Privy Council over an earlier case was under way, and the Government intended to legislate the issue.

"The judge is of Ngati Porou descent, and this case concerns Ngati Porou," Helen Clark said.

"I understand she is standing aside from any future dealings with it. The question is whether she should have stood aside before now."

The decision covers 11 Maori groups who want the Maori Land Court to grant them freehold title to about 200km of coastline between Gisborne and Cape Runaway.

Meanwhile, the heat will again be put on the Government's Maori MPs at a hui in Auckland today, where they will be asked to support the Waitangi Tribunal's foreshore and seabed findings.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen and Helen Clark have attacked the tribunal's findings - again placing the Maori MPs in a difficult position.

Today's hui - to be held at the Waipapa Marae, Auckland University, from 9am to 3pm - has been organised by foreshore lobby group Te Ope Mana A Tai.

Of the MPs, it appears only Associate Maori Affairs Minister Tariana Turia may attend.

Tainui MP Nanaia Mahuta is overseas, Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia has sent his apologies and local MP John Tamihere has said he was not planning to attend.