Iwi claims 10 types of coast areas

Ngai Tahu has claimed customary ownership of the foreshore and seabed east of a large part of the South Island.

The Government is considering its position on such claims after a Court of Appeal ruling that gave the Maori Land Court power to rule on foreshore and seabed claims.

The Government had announced plans for legislation to protect public access but is rethinking its position after coming under attack from Maori MPs.

The Ngai Tahu report, Defining Aquaculture Management Areas, was prepared for Environment Canterbury (ECan), which is implementing the Aquaculture Moratorium Resource Management Amendment Act. The act has imposed a two-year moratorium on marine farm consents while regional councils prepare coastal plans and establish aquaculture management areas (AMAs).

Ngai Tahu held four hui before the report was prepared.

The report said Ngai Tahu claimed customary rights in respect of the foreshore and seabed and associated waterways, and that the coastal marine area is a taonga guaranteed to iwi under the Treaty of Waitangi.

"One of the most fundamental issues from the perspective of runanga is that rights in respect of the foreshore, seabed, and associated waterways remain with tangata whenua and not with the Crown," said the report.

"Ngai Tahu is clear that the ownership of the foreshore and seabed, and coastal space more generally, remains with the tribe."

The report set out 10 types of coastal areas claimed by Ngai Tahu:

* Kohanga: breeding grounds for fish.

* Wahi tapu/taonga: places of spiritual significance.

* Tauranga ika: traditional fishing areas.

* Shipping routes.

* Mataitai: marine reserves.

* Taiapure: regulated fishing areas.

* Places with a rahui or complete fishing ban on them.

* Waha awa: river mouths.

* Tourism areas such as the whale- watching area around Kaikoura.

* Rimurapa: bull kelp areas.

Ngai Tahu leader Mark Solomon said non-Maori would still be allowed to use beaches in Canterbury.

ECan senior resource management planner David Gregory said the report would be considered before any AMAs were established in Canterbury.

- NZPA