MPs set to fight on the beaches

By RUTH BERRY political reporter

Government casualties appear increasingly likely this week as Labour's Maori MPs are forced to make a final stand on the foreshore legislation.

The contentious legislation, the product of the most difficult hurdle the Government has faced this term, is set to be unveiled this week amid further blood-spilling.

Associate Maori Affairs Minister Tariana Turia is under mounting pressure to vote against it.

Mrs Turia, who has always said she would be directed by her electorate, was encouraged at a weekend hui to cross the floor and will announce her plans today or tomorrow.

The hui was held in Wanganui, and the Te Tai Hauauru MP will today consult representatives of Taranaki iwi, also part of her electorate, before finally revealing her decision.

Tainui MP Nanaia Mahuta is already expected to cross the floor.

It spells a difficult week for the Government, which has struggled for months to improve support for its policy, which has been resoundingly rejected by iwi.

It appears to have the support to pass the legislation, even if Mrs Turia and Ms Mahuta oppose it.

But the reservations of the two MPs have increased tensions within the Government, particularly among other Maori electorate MPs.

The Government believes the issue has been a significant factor in its descent in the polls and is desperate to put the issue behind it.

It will take some comfort from last night's TV3 poll, revealing Labour has clawed back support and is now on level footing with National.

It will not want that compromised by ugly scenes in Parliament this week, but may console itself with the view that Mrs Turia's opposition in particular could favour the Government within the wider electorate.

Whanganui River Trust Board chairman Archie Taiaroa chaired Mrs Turia's Saturday hui, but refused to comment yesterday. But sources at the hui said rejection of the policy was near unanimous.

It was agreed that Prime Minister Helen Clark be informed of the resolutions that were passed.

Helen Clark refused to comment on the issue yesterday, other than to say through a spokesman that the bill was being finalised.

Taranaki Maori have voiced strong opposition to plans outlined so far. This makes it unlikely Mrs Turia would vote in favour or abstain and continue to claim she is acting according to their wishes.

The PM has said Mrs Turia would "almost certainly" lose her ministerial warrant if she crossed the floor.

Ms Mahuta will not confirm her stance until she has seen the final shape of the bill.

At this stage the Government is expected to announce details of the reformed policy on Wednesday before tabling it on Thursday.

But Ms Mahuta continued to criticise it yesterday, saying, "We have not got it right".

If this was the final view of the Maori electorate "all Maori in the House should send a statement to the Government", she said.

The five other Maori electorate MPs argue the opposition of tribal leaders is not reflective of more mixed views of their electorates.

They say changes made to the policy are significant, while opponents dismiss them as essentially cosmetic.

Te Runanga o Ngapuhi head Sonny Tau said a recent tele-conference of Far North iwi representatives agreed on a "wait and see" approach because of the changes.

But Ngati Kahungunu leader Ngahiwi Tomoana dismissed them and warned again that the tribe's electorate MP and Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia was putting his seat in "real jeopardy".