Clark heads for rocky shore

By RUTH BERRY political reporter

The Government's Maori MPs called an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Helen Clark late yesterday in a tense last-minute attempt to win foreshore and seabed concessions.

The MPs are under huge electorate pressure over the proposed policy and at least two MPs - Tariana Turia and Nanaia Mahuta - yesterday refused to pledge their votes once legislation was introduced.

Frazzled senior ministers have been locked in meetings all week to try to win support inside and outside Parliament for the policy, to be unveiled next Wednesday.

The Government appeared to have won the backing of United Future yesterday, giving it the support it needs to pass the legislation - unless it bleeds the votes of disaffected Maori MPs.

United Future leader Peter Dunne said while he still had to consult his caucus he was "satisfied the general direction is one we will be able to support".

The Government would have 62 votes with United Future's support, but could not pass the legislation if two of its own MPs crossed the floor, denying it a majority.

If Government MPs abstained from voting instead, the legislation would still be passed.

Mrs Turia signalled that, while she was considering her voting options, she would not be making immediate decisions because the legislation would not be finalised until March.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen said yesterday he was confident the Government would have the support to push the legislation through.

But it would be embarrassing if some of the Government's own Maori MPs revolted.

The fact United Future appears set to be the first party to sign up to the policy will spark further alarm among iwi, who have been angered by its response to the issue.

Green co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said her party, also briefed this week, would not make a decision until next year.

The Government would have to produce a "separate but parallel" package recognising Maori commercial development rights before they would offer their support, she said.

This is a key issue for some of the Government's Maori MPs and one raised with Helen Clark, who returned to Parliament yesterday after a week and half away.

"Customary rights can't be locked into the stone age," one MP complained.

Development rights could enable iwi or hapu who established a title to a piece of foreshore or seabed to commercially exploit resources such as sand, minerals or biological resources.

Several MPs yesterday hinted they had made traction on that issue, but at this stage it seems unlikely the policy will give iwi and hapu development rights distinctly linked to any customary title they gain to foreshore and seabed.

The Maori MPs are believed to have complained that officials had hijacked the process and that the policy was so bogged down in legalese it was impossible to get a grip on.

Aside from seeking concessions, they have demanded an advance copy of the paper going to Cabinet for sign-off on Monday.

Helen Clark refused to say in Parliament whether Mrs Turia would lose her ministerial warrant if she broke Cabinet collective responsibility rules and refused to support the legislation.

"As Prime Minister I determine what the bounds of manoeuvre for ministers are."

Her frustration over having to deal with an issue all political parties privately accept would be a nightmare was evident yesterday when she said: "The Government has been working earnestly with a great range of interests to get a solution to the problem which the Court of Appeal dumped on our doorstep."

Mrs Turia again referred to the issue as a "defining moment" yesterday, while Ms Mahuta said "customary rights would probably be the last bastion for Maori to ensure they remain as tangata whenua in this country".

Whanganui River Maori Trust Board chairman and Waitangi Fisheries Commissioner Archie Taiaroa meanwhile urged iwi who supported the lobby group Te Ope Mana a Tai to make that support known.

Will the bill pass?

* The Government has support from United Future, which should give it 62 votes out of 120.

* However, if disgruntled Maori MPs Tariana Turia and Nanaia Mahuta break ranks the bill could fail to win a majority.