Download the full report

The Māori Affairs Select Committee released its report on the Marine and Coastal Area Bill yesterday – over two weeks before it was due. The reason for this uncharacteristic efficiency was outlined in yesterday's New Zealand Herald:

“Officially, National attributes the haste to the efficiency of Maori affairs committee chairman Tau Henare. But in reality, it wants the bill passed as soon as possible in case Maori Party support for it gets wobbly, and to get the controversial issue off the agenda in election year.”

After more than 4500 written and oral submissions – most of them opposed to the Bill – the Select Committee recommended the Bill pass without amendment. The only changes, it seems, will come from the Attorney-General in order to ‘guarantee’ free access and require any agreement to be ratified by Parliament.

Both these changes were forced upon the Government by ACT – and a great deal of public pressure. It is however too early to celebrate yet as no one has seen the precise wording of these amendments.

Last March John Key pledged to retain the 2004 Foreshore and Seabed Act unless there was widespread support for its replacement. Political pressure from the Māori Party has seen the Prime Minister break this promise, and the Bill looks set to pass despite universal condemnation.

Yesterday we released a report detailing the Bill's major points of contention, the submitters' main objections, and what a sensible alternative to this Bill should look like. You can view the summary of Waves of Discontent here, and download the full report here.

For a copy of an earlier ACT report debunking the 12,500 private foreshore titles myth, click here.

ACT Deputy Leader John Boscawen will host a series of public meetings in the Auckland area in February, during which he will outline the history of the foreshore and seabed debate, and the implications of this Bill being passed into law.

• Monday 14 February – Orakei - Orakei RSA, 178 Kepa Road – 7.30 pm
• Thursday 17 February – Papakura - Hawkins Centre Foyer, 13 Ray Small Drive, Papakura – 7.30 pm
• Monday 21 February – Bucklands Beach - Bucklands Beach Yacht Club, Headsail Lounge, 21 Ara Tai, Half Moon Bay – 7.30 pm
• Thursday 24 February – Northcote - St John the Baptist Church, St Jude’s Room, 47 Church St. – 7.30 pm

ACT is doing all it can to ensure this Bill does not pass – but we need your help.
• Download a copy of ACT’s petition calling on Parliament to oppose the Marine and Coastal Area Bill. Get your friends and family to sign it, then send it back to Hilary Calvert, Freepost at Parliament Buildings, Wellington. The more signatures we get, the more the Government has to listen.

• Write to your local National MPs and Ministers at the same address, or drop them an email at firstname.lastname@parliament.govt.nz. Let them know you do not accept the Attorney-General's assurances on this legislation, and neither should they. If they think National's popular enough to withstand any public backlash, then they have clearly misjudged the views of the vast majority of New Zealanders.

• Visit our website to learn more about the history behind the issue, and why ACT’s solution is the fairest for all parties.

• Share this email – and Waves of Discontent – with family and friends.

The Select Committee hearings and the events of the past couple of days have shown beyond doubt that this Bill is about politics, not justice and fairness. ACT will oppose this Bill every step of the way, and with your support we may yet get it withdrawn.

Kind regards
Hilary Calvert MP
ACT’s Spokesperson for the Foreshore and Seabed

ENDS

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