An international NGO has denied its lobbying for the Kermadec ocean sanctuary is "imperialist" after coming under strong attack from Labour.
In a heated exchange, Bronwen Golder of the Pew Charitable Trusts denied her organisation was advocating for the Government to override Maori rights.
Labour's fisheries spokesman Rino Tirikatene singledout Pew for criticism during a select committee hearing yesterday, when the charity made a joint submission in favour of the sanctuary with WWF NZ, and Forest & Bird.
The Maori Fisheries Trust has taken legal action against the creation of the sanctuary, saying the Government ignored the impact the sanctuary would have on iwi fishing interests.
"What gives your organisation the authority to paddle in to our EEZ [exclusive economic zone] and determine what Maori rights are to fish?" Mr Tirikatene asked Ms Golder.
"In your submission you are effectively saying, if Maori aren't using it, they're going to lose it."
Ms Golder said protecting the ocean could be done in a way that was respectful to iwi rights, and Pew had consistently respected and engaged with iwi.
Mr Tirikatene said many Maori considered it disgraceful that a "foreign-funded NGO can come into our sovereign country of Aotearoa and dictate and lobby, with vast amounts of wealth" to override Maori rights.
After concerns were raised about Maori fishing rights, Environment Minister Nick Smith cited the strong support for the new protection from Ngati Kuri and Te Aupouri, two northern iwi with connections to the Kermadec Islands.
But Te Aupouri chairman Rick Witana made clear the iwi's support was conditional on the resolution of issues raised by the Maori Fisheries Trust, Te Ohu Kaimoana. The trust has filed proceedings in the High Court in Wellington.
