Maori Party fulfils promise over foreshore and seabed

The Maori Party today has fulfilled a long-standing promise to repeal the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004.

“We negotiated a review, we promised a repeal and to restore access to justice and today we are proud to say we’ve achieved that,” the co-leaders said.

“By working together with iwi leaders and the National Party we’ve been able to produce some significant advances.

"It has been really great to see the National Party enter into a treaty based dialogue and we would hope that this can continue on any number of issues.

“The Maori Party recognises the dedicated efforts of the iwi leaders and all others who fought for the act to be repealed.

“We are very pleased that mana tuku iho is given explicit value as recognition of the enduring mana-based relationship that tangata whenua have with the foreshore and seabed, alongside the recognition of customary rights and customary title.”

The co-leaders said today’s specific achievements include:
• Repeal of the act
• Recognition that the foreshore and seabed must never be sold
• Public access is guaranteed
• Recognition of the lasting mana of iwi and hapu
• Recognition of the Treaty partnership
• The right of iwi and hapu to go to court is restored or alternatively to enter into direct negotiations with the Crown
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“We also welcome the prospect of a longer conversation between the Crown and iwi about how a treaty based partnership works in practice.

"We’re here for the long-haul and we’ll continue to advocate for iwi and hapu in the best interests of the nation,” the leaders said.

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