Foreshore issue hits Labour in new poll

By KEVIN TAYLOR political reporter


Maori dissatisfaction with the Government has increased in a new poll and its handling of Maori claims to the foreshore and seabed appears to be a key factor.

The poll also shows Maori think relations with non-Maori have worsened since the foreshore and seabed issue and Waitangi Day confrontations.

Nearly 64 per cent of the 1047 Maori surveyed in the latest Marae-DigiPoll broadcast yesterday were either unsatisfied or very unsatisfied with the Government's handling of Maori claims to the foreshore and seabed.

On the Government's overall performance, 49.5 per cent were satisfied and 46.3 per cent dissatisfied; 4.2 per cent said they did not know.

The poll, with a 3 per cent margin of error, was conducted after National leader Don Brash's Orewa race speech but before the Government announced a review of Maori policies to ensure they are based on need and the appointment of Trevor Mallard as Race Relations Minister.

In the last Marae poll in August - done before the Government unveiled its plan to vest the foreshore and seabed in "public domain" for all New Zealanders - satisfaction with the Government's overall performance was 52.9 per cent. Only 37.4 per cent were not satisfied.

The latest survey shows that 28.5 per cent think the foreshore and seabed issue is the most pressing for Maori, followed by education on 11.9 per cent and treaty issues on 11.7 per cent.

It also shows attitudes to relations with non-Maori, with 53.3 per cent thinking non-Maori feelings towards them are now worse and 24.2 per cent rating feelings as being about the same.

But despite the poor opinion of the Government's handling of the foreshore and seabed, there has been little impact on overall party preference. Asked who they would vote for 52.1 per cent supported Labour. Second was NZ First on 15.6 per cent support. National polled 6.9 per cent.

Last August's Marae-DigiPoll showed Labour on 51 per cent support followed by NZ First on 16.3 per cent and National on 5.1 per cent.

The latest survey was bad news for Gerry Brownlee, who has replaced Georgina te Heuheu as National's Maori affairs spokesman.

Fifty-two per cent said they would be represented "worse" or "much worse" by him and only 17.5 per cent said they would be represented the same.

The latest poll also rated Dr Brash poorly as preferred prime minister, with just 2.1 per cent support.

Helen Clark was way out in front with 45.5 per cent support, followed by NZ First leader Winston Peters on 17.7 per cent.

Mr Peters was the most favoured of the Maori MPs, rating 22.1 per cent.

Associate Maori Affairs Minister John Tamihere was second on 17 per cent, followed by Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia on 11.9 per cent.

The Marae poll followed a Herald-DigiPoll published on Saturday which showed nearly four in five Maori supported specialist Maori schools and health services, and the right of Maori to be consulted by councils.

But in an apparent paradox the poll also showed 63.2 per cent opposed to the Government treating Maori differently to other New Zealanders.

Only 31.2 per cent supported different treatment and 5.6 per cent did not know.

LEGISLATION COMING

* The Government plans to vest the foreshore and seabed in "public domain". Upcoming legislation provides a process to establish Maori customary title and rights to foreshore and seabed.

* National contends the plan gives Maori special development rights while some Maori say it represents a confiscation of their rights.

* Labour Maori MP Tariana Turia has said she will abstain from supporting the law, but in a change last week she indicated that was now "just the beginning point".