Iwi leader detects thaw in Govt's foreshore policy

By RUTH BERRY

Signs of a thaw in the stand-off between the Government and iwi leading the foreshore and seabed issue emerged yesterday after a hui on the tribes' home turf.

The Government held its third consultation hui at Omaka Marae near Blenheim, the home of the eight Te Tau Ihu iwi who took the Court of Appeal case.

The foreshore and seabed policy was again rejected, but Matiu Rei, chairman for Te Tau Ihu-led working group Te Ope Mana a Tai, detected a "considerable shift" in the Government's position.

"They are starting to listen," he said. "They are taking a more realistic approach."

The Government's discussion document had minimised the extent and nature of customary rights, said Mr Rei. But if it continued to steer its talk in the direction it now appeared to be taking, after a few more hui "we can kick that document to touch".

Mr Rei, whose group is broadening its support in the hope of playing a negotiation role with the Government, said it was unclear whether the Government was explaining its thinking better as the hui progressed or "they had options up their sleeve which we have persuaded them of".

He noted more emphasis on the role of hapu and iwi in managing the coast, and more understanding of the barriers that had prevented their rights being recognised to date.

The hui was the first fronted by Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen, who was in charge of drawing up the document.

While the Government's emphasis has clearly shifted from stressing issues of public access to protection of customary rights, he denied that the Government had changed its stance.

"As we are saying clearly what the implications of the position are, people are understanding them better," he said.

Dr Cullen told the hui that the issue could either divide the nation or create a new beginning.

Also at the hui was Marlborough Mayor Tom Harrison, labelled by Dr Cullen as the "racist" who sparked the case. The pair had a hongi but did not speak, Mr Harrison said.

The fourth hui will be held tomorrow in Thames, the region of the first national Maori hui on the issue, which forcefully rejected the Government's plans.ON