Shoreline ceasefire proposed

By AUDREY YOUNG

Party politics should be put aside on the foreshore and seabed issue and bipartisan talks held between National and Labour, says United Future leader Peter Dunne.

Mr Dunne said the Orewa speech of National leader Don Brash had created "public unease" and could not be dismissed by the Government.

"While some of the reaction is too extreme, there are many New Zealanders who are not extreme who share some or all of the concerns Dr Brash raised and they cannot be overlooked."

United Future supports the Government's proposals on the foreshore and seabed.

But Dr Brash suggested that Mr Dunne might be getting "uncomfortable" about backing details such as veto rights for some holders of customary rights.

Neither he nor Prime Minister Helen Clark embraced the idea of bipartisan talks.

Helen Clark said it would be hard to know where to start "because there is no preparedness by the National Party to accept that Maori have any ancestral connection or customary right".

"If I hear of a change of heart, I may follow the suggestion up."

Dr Brash said Helen Clark knew his number but he was not holding his breath on getting a call.


In his Orewa speech three weeks ago on special treatment for Maori, Dr Brash promised to repeal the Government's proposed foreshore legislation.

Mr Dunne said the Government would be wrong to dismiss out of hand the reaction to Dr Brash's speech.

For many New Zealanders the issue was not whether disadvantaged Maori should be supported but the extent of that support.

"There is a feeling that the pendulum has swung too far."


Mr Dunne said it would be desirable to explore as much common ground as possible.

His party was not having misgivings about supporting the policy outlined in December but would still have to examine the detail when the legislation was finalised.