Two Sizes Two Laws

Thursday 12 Feb 2004 Richard Prebble Press Releases -- Treaty of Waitangi & Maori Affairs

ACT Leader Richard Prebble has put down Questions in the House to the Minister of Fisheries asking how it can be that two people arrested and charged for poaching and having in their possession undersized crayfish have been let off because they claim customary rights.

"I'm asking the Minister what possible justification there is for this. The case is important because government is proposing to allow Maori governance rights over the foreshores and seabeds of New Zealand. Maori leaders are claiming the Maori will have a higher standard of conservation.

"I want to know whether undersized crayfish is regarded as a conservation measure provided it's done by Maori", said Mr Prebble.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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