Tribunal's hearings over foreshore begin

The Waitangi Tribunal opens hearings in Wellington tomorrow on the Government's controversial foreshore and seabed proposals, well ahead of legislation expected to be presented to Parliament in March.

Crown lawyers will put the Government's case during the scheduled six days of hearings.

So will the legal representatives of numerous iwi who oppose the proposals, and those who have lodged claims with the Maori Land Court since the Government said it would legislate so that no one could own the beaches but customary rights would be protected.

The tribunal decided in December to hold urgent hearings, but it has not set itself a deadline for presenting a report.

"At this stage, we are going to hear all the evidence and then start preparing the report," a tribunal spokesman said.

The Government held hui last year to consult Maori over its proposals, which were rejected at every meeting.

When the tribunal decided to hold the hearing, a spokesman for Prime Minister Helen Clark said it did not mean a confrontation with the Government.

The Government had made a policy proposal and much more discussion was likely before a bill came to Parliament, she said.

It had been previously stated that the legislation would not be held up by the tribunal's deliberations.

The country's second largest iwi, Ngati Porou, has decided it would not take part in the hearings.

Chairman Api Mahuika said the decision reflected the view that the best way forward was to continue to engage directly with the Crown.

'While some may choose to speculate about the merits of this decision, we believe that this is the best way forward for Ngati Porou as we endeavour to protect the rights and interests we have been exercising ... since before [the treaty]."

- NZPA