Rt. Hon Winston Peters
Leader NZ First

Thursday 10th February 2011

PRESS RELEASE

Abandon Shonky Marine Deal Says Peters

Rt Hon Winston Peters has urged MPs to vote against the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill which takes the foreshore and seabed away from the Crown and allows private title to be established.

Mr Peters rejected as “cosmetic” the late change to the legislation that requires customary title to an area to be ratified by Parliament.

“It is outrageous to ram this disgraceful bill through the process with about two hours debate after the select committee ignored hundreds of submissions from concerned New Zealanders.

“This timing exploits a crisis in the Maori Party and it shows just how shonky the whole deal is. It abandons the rights of all New Zealanders in favour of behind the scenes deals with a few.

“Crown ownership under the existing law means all New Zealanders own the foreshore and seabed. This ownership is going to be relinquished and be made available for customary title, which will allow the rights of private title.

“National fought the 2005 and 2008 elections on the grounds that the present law favoured iwi. Now it has done the most astounding political backflip and passed over the birthright of all New Zealanders.

“It's simply a cynical device to keep political power but we are sure most people will see through this by election time,” said Mr Peters.

ENDS

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