Iwi warns of further Maori grievances

By RUTH BERRY

The Government has excluded iwi from development of its foreshore and seabed plans and must put the plans aside and forge a way forward in partnership with the tribes, says the group which sparked the case.

Te Tau Ihu spokesman John Mitchell said yesterday that iwi feared being presented with a fait accompli and warned that unless it changed course the Government could expose itself to further grievances.

A letter from Te Tau Ihu asking the Government to talk, and sent to the Solicitor-General several weeks ago, remained unanswered, said Dr Mitchell.

It was not possible for the Crown to develop its proposals "in isolation from any information as to the nature of such rights and interests", he said.

But Te Tau Ihu's pleas look set to be ignored as last night the Associate Maori Affairs Minister John Tamihere said that Prime Minister Helen Clark would spell out the Government's foreshore plans next week.

Earlier yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen said many groups would be consulted when the plans were released.

The foreshore and seabed case is set to dominate today's Waitangi Fisheries Commission annual hui in Wellington, with Government MPs and Ministers expected to come under further pressure.

Te Tau Ihu, which represents eight top of the South Island tribes, had with the commission established a working group which was formulating proposals to resolve the matter, said Dr Mitchell.

Some of those suggestions would be presented at the hui and a discussion document was being prepared to be forwarded to other iwi.

It was hoped principles common to all iwi would be confirmed at the second national hui to be held on the matter, by Te Tau Ihu at the end of next month.

Dr Cullen yesterday accused National leader Bill English of taking an irresponsible position.

"It requires a bit more intelligence than Mr English is prepared to devote to the matter. He's just winding up race hatred, we're interested in winding up a solution that will suit all New Zealanders in the long term, and that's a much more grown up job."

But Mr English labelled those accusations ridiculous.

"All the National Party is doing is holding the Government to account for the promises it made over the beaches and seabed issue six weeks ago."

Public Access New Zealand meanwhile launched another petition yesterday, calling for legislation establishing Crown ownership of the foreshore and seabed.