Labour Ducks Leadership Over Foreshore And Seabed

New Zealand First says the Government has shown political cowardice and created legal confusion by not vesting ownership of the foreshore and seabed with the Crown.

“Helen Clark promised a ‘win-win’ position but has created a ’lose-lose’ situation instead by leaving the real ownership issue to fester away like a sore on New Zealand society,” said Leader Winston Peters.

“The position just announced is not Crown ownership, as she promised, and brings with it all the risks of political manipulation. It will create uncertainty at a time when all New Zealanders want their rights of access stated clearly and unequivocally.

“The people, Maori and non-Maori, all expected leadership from the Government but got a confused statement that opens the way to cronyism, nepotism and economic gerrymandering.

“In trying to appease conflicting and competing interests, the Government has pleased no one but has provided the conditions for ongoing disagreement and disharmony and continuous wrangling over access, customary rights, and commercial interests.

“The Government has also extended its philosophy of a different system for Maori and non-Maori through the Maori Land Court and this will lead to future friction,” said Mr Peters.

“Helen Clark has demonstrated why she is not a leader. She is simply a finger in the wind opportunist.”

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