The Crown should legislate to force local authorities to review whether they need Maori land taken for public purposes but never or no longer used, the Waitangi Tribunal has been told.
Lawyer Kathy Ertel made the call while presenting closing submissions on behalf of Te Atiawa and whanau claimants during the
tribunal's northern South Island inquiry in Nelson.
Ms Ertel heavily criticised the actions of the Marlborough District Council over her attempts to have land formerly owned by the Powick whanau returned after it had been unused for 30 years.
Marlborough woman Rita Powick told the tribunal last year how Waikawa block 2C2 was taken under the Public Works Act in 1957 for waterworks.
Compensation for the land was paid from the South Island Tenths Benefit Fund - rent money from Maori reserve land.
Ms Ertel said she had written several letters to the council about the matter, but was continually put off.
Tribunal member Professor Keith Sorrenson said it was "extraordinary" how a local body seemed to be able to delay returning land "simply by getting more and more reports".
Ms Ertel said it was "indescribably wrong and unjust. That's why these people are angry."
She also outlined the case of roading reserve land at Port Underwood, which she said had not been needed since 1984.
Despite this, 15 holiday homes had been built and the council collected rent from leasing the land.
Descendants of the original owners had been told they were trespassing when on the beach in front of the properties.
"There must be a certain irony in the fact that Maori children were told they were trespassing on private beaches, given the current seabed-foreshore debate."
- NZPA
Herald Feature: Maori issues
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