Peaceful hui seeks strategy to fight Govt on the beaches

By RUTH BERRY

The iwi hosting the second national hui on the foreshore and seabed hope consensus will be reached today on developing a strategy to counter the Government's plans.

Te Tau Ihu iwi organisers are expecting a peaceful meeting, in contrast to the protests being threatened at the series of Government hui on the issue, beginning next week.

In another development, a number of Marlborough District councillors made it clear yesterday they had been highly embarrassed by what some described as Mayor Tom Harrison's "ranting" over the issue.

Following the first formal meeting with Te Tau Ihu over the foreshore and seabed, several councillors said the majority were opposed to challenging the Court of Appeal decision in the Privy Council and expected the council to ditch that proposal formally in a meeting in two weeks.

Mr Harrison snubbed the meeting and suggested some councillors were using the issue as part of a plot to get rid of him.

Te Tau Ihu spokesman John Mitchell said the meeting was a good start and he was not particularly concerned by the mayor's absence.

Matiu Rei, of Te Tau Ihu-led working group Te Ope Mana a Tai, the Te Tau Ihu-led working group, said the hui's aim was to "achieve consensus and a way forward".

The group, which has so far been funded by the Waitangi Fisheries Commission, has developed a discussion document which it hopes other iwi will sign up to.

The document had to have the support of other iwi in order for it to be used as the basis for discussions with the Government, he said.

Hauraki Maori Trust Board spokesman John McEnteer said today's hui would determine whether Maori were prepared to properly engage with the Government "as opposed to direct action".

Hauraki Maori were reluctant to use civil disobedience, but had not ruled it out.

Activist Ken Mair, meanwhile, said the Government could expect protests at hui it had organised, which was widely seen as sham consultation.