Foreshore & Seabed Policy Made Up As We Go

ACT New Zealand Foreshore & Seabed Spokesman David Garrett today accused Attorney-General Chris Finlayson of having no idea what to do about the Foreshore & Seabed policy, with his recent responses on this issue showing he is simply making up Government policy as he goes along.

"Mr Finlayson has said that he could not be certain just how much coastline will likely fall under customary title, but claimed that it would be a very small amount. However, during a TV interview just days later he agreed that up to 10 percent of the coastline - or 2000km - could become Maori-owned under customary title," Mr Garrett said.

"When asked if specific iconic beaches - such as Ninety Mile Beach, Ohope Beach and Wainui Beach – could fall under customary title, Mr Finlayson evaded the question and said he was not prepared to rule out customary title to 'any particular bay'. This is just another way of saying he cannot guarantee anything. Ngapuhi is firmly of the view that it already owns Ninety Mile Beach, as reported in today's 'New Zealand Herald'.

"Mr Finlayson was again evasive about whether Maori with customary title could charge ordinary Kiwis for access to the beach, saying that New Zealanders ‘need not have any worry about this issue.’ If he wished to reassure the public that access to the beach will remain free, he should ensure that Parliament includes a provision in the legislation prohibiting the holders of customary title from charging. He has refused to do so.

"Free access to beaches is a quintessential right of every New Zealander and distinguishes us from many other countries where access to beaches, lakes and riversides is available only to a privileged few. Mr Finlayson’s failure to assure New Zealanders on this issue of charging ought to be of great concern to every New Zealander.

"In answer to a question today regarding access to areas of Ninety Mile Beach held under customary title for tour buses, the best he could do was say that he 'wouldn’t have thought’ that such access would be precluded to areas under customary title. Surely the Attorney-General, of all people, is in a position to know what will be permitted or prohibited under customary title. The most frightening thing is that he doesn’t know," Mr Garrett said.

ENDS