Maori Party 'dancing on tables' over Foreshore law review

The introduction of the Act in 2004 led to widespread protest. File photo / Alan Gibson

The controversial Foreshore and Seabed Act looks set for a shake-up with the launch of a ministerial review today.

The Maori Party leadership was in celebratory mood at the news, with co-leader Dr Pita Sharples saying 23,000 of its members would be "dancing on the tables".

Dr Sharples and fellow party leader Tariana Turia have made it clear they want the Act repealed , allowing Maori to test their claims to authority over some areas of the coast.

The review is headed by former High Court judge and Waitangi Tribunal chairman Eddie Durie, barrister Richard Boast and Hana O'Regan.

Dr Sharples joked that if they did not come back with a report in June recommending repeal they would be sacked and new inquiry team appointed.

Under the support agreement between the Government and the Maori Party, the Act will be reviewed to assess how it is working and to consider whether there are better alternatives.

It will also look at how Labour came to implement the law.

It was one of the most difficult pieces of legislation the previous Labour government had to deal with in its nine years in office.

It followed a 2003 Court of Appeal ruling that it may possible, in some cases, for Maori customary title to convert into freehold title.

That raised the possibility of parts of the foreshore and seabed being under Maori control and the Labour government decided to legislate against the ruling.

Maori said the decision amounted to confiscation and after months of controversy and protest an alternative process was set up to recognise Maori interest in coastal areas.

Ms Turia left the Labour Party over the Foreshore and Seabed Act and formed the Maori Party.

National strongly opposed the law - its leader of the time, Don Brash, attacked Labour for favouring Maori.

Prime Minister John Key said today said the review would seek to address Maori customary rights with New Zealanders' access to beaches.

Attorney-General Chris Finlayson said he thought the current law was poor and if the panel came to the same conclusion then it would outline "the most workable and efficient methods" to recognise Maori customary rights and public interest in the coastline.

The Government said those iwi who had done deals with the Government, under the Act, that recognised their customary interests would not be disadvantaged.

Negotiations with others would be put on hold until the review was completed.

The review team is set to hold a series of hui and hear submissions.

- NZPA