'Traditional access' muddies water

By RUTH BERRY

The Government's foreshore and seabed stance continues to evolve with the injection of yet another new phrase into the debate yesterday.

Attorney-General Margaret Wilson contradicted herself in Parliament on Thursday over whether the Government may allow whanau and hapu some rights to exclude access to the foreshore and seabed.

The Government's discussion document says they should be public domain "with open access and use for all New Zealanders", so her statements saw the Government accused of yet another backdown by the Opposition.

Margaret Wilson attempted to clarify her position yesterday.

"Access has always been and remains a core part of the Government's proposal. There will be no fee simple title and no loss of traditional access for all New Zealanders to the foreshore and seabed."

The introduction of the new phrase "traditional access" was not explained. The same phrase yesterday appeared on a different statement by Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen as well.

Customary rights have traditionally included the right to be able to exclude those who do not exercise mana over a particular piece of foreshore and seabed.

At the very least, whanau and hapu are seeking the ability to impose a rahui (ban) on a beach, in the case of a drowning for instance.

When National was in Government it introduced a non-commercial customary fishing regime with provisions enabling local whanau, hapu and iwi to place a rahui (conditional on ministerial approval) on fishing if, for example, stocks were depleted.

Meanwhile, Dr Cullen said thousands of New Zealanders were taking the opportunity to have input into the Government's proposals.

Feedback:


12 public meetings have been held by Labour MPs and a further 18 are planned.

Briefings with interest groups start next week.

Calls to the 0508 Foreshore number totalled 527 and about 600 submissions have been received.

The deadline for initial submissions is October 3, but there would be another opportunity once the legislation went before a select committee.