Northland iwi uses last hui to announce its own plans

By THERESA GARNER

A small meeting house in the heart of South Auckland rang with the sound of waiata, laughter, and passionate oratory at the final hui on the foreshore and seabed row.

The hui was held at Nga Whare Watea Marae in Mangere after Ngati Whatua cancelled the event at the Orakei Marae.

Urban Maori and all other speakers from Waikato to the Far North rejected outright the Government's proposals.

Ngati Kahu chairwoman and Auckland University professor Margaret Mutu slapped down a copy of the Government's proposal covered in red ink and with the word "failed" across the front.

"We are responsible for controlling, using and managing our lands in a manner that ensures they can be passed on to following generations," she said.

"No Pakeha law can ever change that.

"What it can do is either assist us or make it very much harder for us to carry out our responsibilities, and I put to you, the Government, that your proposals here will make life sheer hell for us trying to carry out our responsibilities."

Professor Mutu recited an "appalling" track record by local and central government officials in the Far North, including allowing sewage and timber mill waste to spill on to the beaches, letting vehicles drive on the beaches and allowing an American billionaire to buy a property at Karikari Beach, and destroy parts of the natural environment.

"These are just examples of some of the things that have gone wrong when people who don't know what they are doing try to manage our coasts."

Ngati Kahu would hold its own hui on November 1 over foreshore and seabed management plans.

"We will set down what will happen and what will be permissible," Professor Mutu said.

Many speakers reiterated that Maori were not seeking to deprive the public of recreational use of the beaches.

They complained that Maori were getting the backlash over the Government's failure to deal with the issue of access.

There was no huge protest action, and the loudest noise was the singing of waiata.

Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia said the Government had "heard the message", and described the final hui as a "wonderful session" ... albeit for the challenges and rejection.

"We do recognise the customary right and how we get there will be an interesting journey."

Treaty Negotiations Minister Margaret Wilson, Associate Maori Affairs Minister John Tamihere and State Services Minister Trevor Mallard attended the hui.

National leader Bill English, told by one submitter that he had "guts" for turning up, said outside that Maori views were "increasingly entrenched".