* The massive mineral wealth contained in the country's foreshore and seabed area has been revealed to be even greater than we realised. Trans- Tasman Resources believes it has 5 billion tonnes of iron ore in its three permit areas off the Wanganui and Taranaki coast. With iron ore fetching $230 a tonne, that's $1.1 trillion for that small area alone! It's no wonder that corporate iwi are falling all over themselves to get their hands on the ownership of our minerals in our foreshore and seabed![1]

Yet with the country so deeply in debt, shouldn't the government be holding onto these resources in the national interest for the benefit of all New Zealanders? Isn't that how Helen Clark fobbed off Treaty claims for oil and gas, stating they belonged to the Crown in the national interest?

The customary rights justification that Chris Finlayson has been peddling, for taking the coast out of Crown ownership so it can be privatised to iwi, is so weak that Canterbury University Lecturer in Law, David Round, believes it is non-existent! Read his notes in the Breaking Views blog here>>>.

* Opposition parties did a great job in stringing out the committee stage debate on the Marine and Coastal Area Bill last week. Because a financial review bill must be passed as a priority this week, there is a possibility that the Marine bill could continue into the week after – which, because of a one week recess, will be the week of April 5th. Every delay in the bill is good news - it takes us closer to the election and provides more opportunities for National MPs and Peter Dunne to realise what a BIG mistake they are making by supporting the bill. Some are said to be wavering so please keep up the pressure. Tell the MPs how strongly you oppose the bill. Tell them that John Key should honour his promise to withdraw the bill. And spread the message that MPs can be contacted here>>>.

* Please register your interest in helping with a Citizens Initiated Referendum to repeal the Marine and Coastal Area Bill here>>>. If National forces this bill through we will fight back with a strong campaign right up to the election - the public will not forget National's betrayal!

*To support the Coastal Coalition - please click here>>>

ENDS

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