National was right in foreshore debate, says Brash

National Party leader Don Brash said today the Solicitor-General has confirmed his view that the Government's foreshore and seabed policy gives Maori veto rights.

When Dr Brash attacked the veto right in a provocative speech in Orewa this week, Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen said no such right existed.

Terence Arnold, QC, told a Waitangi Tribunal hearing in Wellington yesterday holders of customary rights under the foreshore policy will have real power over others.

"Those who have a customary right do have a right to stop activities that will have a significant impact on that customary right. That is a real power, a real ability," the solicitor-general said.

Dr Brash told NZPA "that's absolutely what we have been arguing".

"The Government's foreshore and seabed policy does in fact give Maori substantial powers to control what happens on the foreshore and seabed."

"The Government has portrayed itself as running a tough line, it has antagonised a lot of Maori groups.

"But our view is that ...it is also going to antagonise a large number of non-Maori New Zealanders when they realise what they have given away.

"The Government proposes to give Maori a customary title, which will give Maori substantial powers to control what happens on the seabed and the foreshore.

"Terence Arnold was really confirming that yesterday."

Under the policy Maori groups will be able to have traditional customary use rights recognised on a new style "customary title".

That would give them a say over other activities that might interfere with that right.

Use of the foreshore for gathering hangi stones, or protection of sacred sites have been cited as examples of the types of traditional activity that could be covered.

The law will vest the foreshore and seabed in the "public domain" and give all the public access rights.

Meanwhile, Northland Maori leaders today joined criticism of Dr Brash's recent controversial speech on the Government's policies regarding Maori.

Representatives from Ngapuhi, Te Rarawa and Ngati Kahu lambasted Dr Brash, who said Maori were using "stand-over tactics" with the Treaty of Waitangi for financial gain.

He called for an end to race-based government funding and said preferential treatment for Maori had to end.

His comments have horrified Maori, including National Maori MP Georgina te Heuheu, who has distanced herself from the speech.

Te Runanga a Iwi o Ngapuhi chief executive Alison Thom said Dr Brash was "naive and ill-informed".

"I don't disagree with his goal of equal rights and standards but his strategy for achieving this is extremely naive and flawed," she said.

"His strategy will achieve outcomes directly opposed to his own goals."

Te Rarawa runanga chairwoman Gloria Herbert said New Zealanders had to take responsibility for their ancestors' actions.

She said Dr Brash had shown he had no understanding of the "Maori world view" or Maori perspective of history.

Elsewhere, there was widespread support for Dr Brash.

A phone poll by the Dominion Post newspaper found more than 2200 of 2600 respondents backed what he had said.

- NZPA