United Future backs proposals but majority still uncertain

United Future threw its weight behind the Government's foreshore and seabed proposals yesterday, but that will not guarantee a majority when legislation is introduced in March.

Labour has 52 votes, its coalition partner the Progressives have two, and United Future has eight, making a total of 62.

Maori electorate MPs Nanaia Mahuta and Tariana Turia may well vote against it, meaning the Government would need one more vote - though if they abstained, the bill would pass.

The Green Party, the Government's other ally, criticised the proposals but the party is reserving judgment on its vote until its summer policy conference in January.

National leader Don Brash "The Government has broken its promise not to create a whole new class of customary title over foreshore and seabed.

"In a departure from the earlier proposal, Maori will be given customary title to develop foreshore areas and the right to block other developments if Maori can show their customary right is affected. In practical terms, this will affect access to the foreshore.

"This framework will create a new nightmare for local authorities, who will be forced into a state of paralysis by new, cumbersome consultation obligations."

NZ First leader Winston Peters "The foreshore and seabed policy is a mindless bureaucratic mess that appears to have learned nothing from recent history.

"It will neither satisfy Maori nor non-Maori and, worse, seeks to rewrite the law on issues of ownership in an underhand and duplicitous manner.

"It will set Maori against Maori and Maori against non-Maori."

Greens Maori affairs spokeswoman Metiria Turei "If the Government wants to build good faith relationships with Maori and Pakeha, it must stop talking 'rules' and start building a relationship.

"The Government's process has so alienated Maori that they understandably treat anything now with suspicion. Pakeha also feel alienated because they have been told that Maori want to stop them going to the beach, which is patently untrue. While we see provisions for enhanced decision-making in coastal management for Maori, there needs to be a demonstrable commitment from central government to make it work."

United Future leader Peter Dunne "We have consistently called for the Government to make it plain that the ownership of, and access to, these resources is in the unambiguous ownership and power of the people of New Zealand - and that has been achieved.

"Our only reservation is that foreshore and seabed land held in the public domain can be sold or disposed of through an act of Parliament."

Act Maori Affairs spokesman Stephen Franks "This is a recipe for endless uncertainty and fresh grievance.

"Labour's appeasement will entrench race discrimination in local and central government and start a grab for exclusive privileges.

"We can't tell from the vague blather exactly what the Government means by 'enhanced whanau, hapu and iwi involvement in relevant central and local government decision-making processes' and 'participation in the management of the coastal marine area'."