A rush of iwi claims for customary title of the foreshore and seabed under the government's new Marine and Coastal Area Bill are expected over the coming months. The problem is that because the law allows the deals to be done in secret, the public may not know what is being claimed until it is too late!

Last year under the official information act, it was revealed that Te Rarawa will seek title for Shipwreck Bay in the Far North. Shipwreck Bay is one of New Zealand's best surfing spots. On the East Coast Ngati Pahauwera has claimed the beaches north of Napier and south of Wairoa. And also on the East Coast, Ngati Porou Ki Hauraki wants customary title over Kennedy Bay and Mataroa Bay on the Coromandel. And Te Whanau a Apanui wants title over an area in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Iwi that meet the test could charge commercial operators, veto developments and impose wahi tapu to ban public access.

If you believe Crown ownership of the foreshore and seabed should be restored, then please help us gather the 320,000 signatures we need to force a public referendum. The petition form, instructions, and all other details are on our website at www.CoastalCoalition.co.nz.

http://www.nzcpr.com/NewsletterArchive.htm

Gidday

That shows that jonkey is of the same calabre as Hussien Obuma.

Please all sign that partitian.

Gidday

Hey I see the petition is too late, the 99 mile beach has already been given to the iwi.

Dont you think youre exagerating a little OJ...

"Te Aupouri receives:

*$21 million to purchase two Crown-owned farms, part of Te Kao School and another Crown property.

*19 geographic name changes including Te Oneroa a Tohe being added to Ninety Mile Beach.

*Cultural redress: vesting of 11 properties such as the 1191ha Te Arai conservation Area, joint vesting of 214ha of 90 Mile Beach and a $380,000 fund for cultural projects.

*Its membership of the Te Hiku Forum with three other iwi entitles it to:

*Membership of a new co-governance board for Ninety Mile Beach.

*Membership of a new Te Hiku Conservation Board, which will have equal public membership. Will work with Department of Conservation.

*Joint share of 21,283ha of Crown forest land on the Aupouri Peninsula.

*A social development and wellbeing accord between iwi and government agencies. Aims to address socio-economic issues in region.

*Rights of first refusal over Crown land for 172 years.

*9333 tribal members represented in negotiations by trustees of Te Runanga Nui o Te Aupouri Trust.

SF, Great stuff. We like name addition for Ninety Mile Beach. Down here Te Waihora sounds so much better than Lake Ellesmere too.

http://www.nzcpr.com/Q&AInformationLeaflet.pdf.

Privatisation of New Zealands Seas?

Appalled at the shabby and undemocratic bullying by Government, the Coastal Coalition continues fighting for justice. It’s launched a petition for a Citizens Initiated Referendum (CIR) on restoring Crown ownership of the foreshore and seabed.

Why keep fighting this battle?

A. Corrupt process:
Short submission time (3 weeks); cursory treatment of non-Maori.
Racially prejudiced - Select Committee were 100% Maori.
Politicians blatantly misled the public; Media shutdown opposition.
Unprecedented number of submissions; 90% against; 90% ignored.
Attorney General Chris Finlayson's conflict of interest with Nga Tahu.

B. Shoddy & unconstitutional:
Preferential laws for people of any Maori descent, including the privileged or “mostly white” Maori.
Undefined Maori terms means claim thresholds are a farce.
Claims not proven in High Court – Maori groups gain control of the sea by secret, political negotiation.
Government can now exchange coastal assets for Maori votes at will.
Taxpayers responsible for all claim expenses & any demands Maori make on “elected” local government (like Auckland City Council’s Maori Advisory Board).
Maori able to on-sell coastal “rights” to foreigners (or even wealthy politicians).
3 levels of Maori “management” control New Zealand’s entire coastline.

C. Damaging ramifications:
Privatisation of coast and minerals for Maori groups. Crown loses potential of $trillions from offshore mining which could pay for health, education and welfare.
Public access can be denied by “wahi tapu” for superstitious or religious claims; public fined up to $5,000.
Coastal businesses beholden to whims of Maori groups - absolutely no right of appeal or arbitration.
Claims already being negotiated for popular areas (settlements unlikely to be announced prior to election!)
Entrenching of feudalism, restricting options for Maori underprivileged. Elite leaders benefit; little flow-on to the ordinary Maori.
Coastal lifestyles restricted, relationships harmed. Tourists turned off.
Confusion and arguments determining which Maori groups or individuals have control over what.

So who really loses from this legislation?
ALL NEW ZEALANDERS LOSE. It contradicts everything good about our country i.e. one law for all, egalitarianism, democracy, racial harmony, free and easy coastal recreation, sound economics, established and proven legal process.

Government mustn’t be allowed to harm New Zealand’s future in this way.

Whether you can gather 2 or 200 signatures, the Coastal Coalition needs your help please download and print a Referendum Form from www.CoastalCoalition.co.nz and start gathering signatures today.