Government hints at role for Maori land court in seabed issue

A Beehive meeting over the foreshore and seabed issue this afternoon ended with indications the Government will allow Maori to take the issue to the Maori Land Court.

Maori MPs met Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen this afternoon to report what had happened at a weekend hui in Paeroa.

Dr Cullen, who heads a group of senior ministers handling the issue, emerged from the 90-minute meeting saying compromise was needed.

A way had to be found to uphold Maori treaty rights while ensuring access to the foreshore for all, he told reporters.

"Under what we are proposing, you will be able to go... probably to the Maori Land Court to establish what your customary rights are," he said.

Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia said the hui was not representative of all Maori.

"There are other groups and other interests too in Maoridom that we need to talk to," he said.

The Government said last month it would clarify the law after a Court of Appeal decision last week ruled uncertainty in law meant Maori may have a case for customary title.

Government ally, United Future, has joined opposition parties in their criticism of the way it is handling the foreshore and seabed controversy.

Party leader Peter Dunne said today ministers had to act quickly to find a solution.

"Their dithering on this issue is a disgraceful exhibition of Labour desperately casting about looking to retain Maori votes, rather than as a government acting swiftly, openly and clearly in the interests of all New Zealanders," he said.

"Labour ministers have abandoned their duty to act in the interests of the whole community and are negotiating in secret over our rights with some sections of the Maori community."

National voiced similar concerns and today ACT's deputy leader Ken Shirley said the Government was responsible for the "unreasonable expectations" of Maori.

He said that two weeks ago the Government acted decisively when it said it would legislate to assert crown ownership, but it had backed down in the face of Maori anger.

"A few short days later, faced with a rebellion from its Maori caucus, the Government did an about-face, issuing ameliorating musings about negotiated settlements and 'win-win' scenarios," he said.

A group of senior ministers is negotiating with the Maori MPs to find a solution.

It said it would legislate to clarify the law on Maori rights after the Court of Appeal ruled last month Te Tau Ihu (Top of the South iwi) could take a case to the Maori Land Court claiming customary title to the Marlborough Sounds foreshore and seabed.

That raised the possibility of private title, with the right to sell land or deny access to it.

The weekend hui decided there should be no compromise over ownership and told Maori MPs they must vote against any legislation which proposed extinguishing or redefining Maori customary title or rights.

Mr Horomia said earlier today he would not be told how to vote.

"I'm looking for something that suits Maoridom, with fairness, and which allows all New Zealanders to have free access," he said.

The hui, attended by about 1000 iwi representatives, had intended appointing a group to negotiate with the Government but decided more time was needed.

A second hui is to be held, hosted by Te Tau Ihu, but a date has not been set.

The hui issued a declaration which said:

* all foreshore and seabed belong to hapu and iwi;

* all Maori MPs should oppose any legislation which proposes to extinguish or redefine Maori customary title or rights;

* support for all hapu and iwi who wish to reconfirm their rights in the courts; and

* the final decision on the foreshore and seabed rests exclusively with whanau, hapu and iwi.

- NZPA