25 MARCH 2011

REBUILDING CHRISTCHURCH
It was disappointing for everyone to hear that Christchurch will not be ready in time to host Rugby World Cup games. Canterbury is the heartland of New Zealand Rugby, and it would have been a fantastic gesture to host the games within the city but we have to be aware of the bigger picture. The priority for the Government is to rebuild people’s lives

MARINE AND COASTAL AREA
Yesterday the Marine and Coastal Area Bill passed its third and final reading.

The law passed by Labour in 2004 was unsustainable. The new law includes a number of adjustments, including free access to the beach for all New Zealanders and also the recognition of customary title (subject to the fundamental rights of all New Zealanders).

The key components of the new law are;
1. All New Zealanders will have free access to the foreshore and seabed.
2. Customary title will only be available to Maori who own land adjacent to the foreshore and seabed and where they can show they have exercised exclusive use and occupation over the foreshore and seabed since 1840.
3. Any negotiated customary title will have to be passed by an Act of Parliament – so will be transparent, and open to public scrutiny.
4. Customary title rights will recognise wahi tapu – places of sacred and extreme importance. These will need to be specific places, not widescale areas and will need to be formally identified.
The majority of places likely to obtain customary title are on the East Coast, especially Te Kaha through to Tolaga Bay. There is also a fair amount of Maori land in the Far North, especially around Karikari Peninsula and Hokianga Harbour. Tainui also have a particular interest in Kawhia Harbour.

There has been wide-ranging public debate on this Bill, and the Government is aware of the difficulties that have been raised.

There was never going to be unanimous agreement over this contentious issue, but the Government has created a law that we believe enshrines the fundamental rights of all New Zealanders, while recognising the customary rights of Maori.

READY FOR THE UNEXPECTED
I recently wrote a column in the Shore Times which urged North Shore residents to make the time to put together an emergency survival pack, in case the North Shore is ever hit by an unexpected disaster.

The tsunami in Japan is a further reminder that anything can happen at any time.

Civil Defence has a difficult task. Trying to ensure that everyone is prepared for the unexpected; earthquake, storms, tsunami, volcanic eruption or even a pandemic is not easy, unless a disaster is visibly imminent.

Their website: www.getthru.govt.nz has good information on what we should all have ready for an emergency. Key survival items include:

- Torch (self-charging, or with spare batteries)
- Radio (with spare batteries)
- Wind and waterproof clothing
- First aid kit (and essential medical supplies)
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Spare rubbish bags
- Face and dust masks
They also recommend the following:

- Non-perishable food (canned or dried) for 3 days
- Water for drinking (9L per person)
- A can opener
- A small primus stove or gas barbecue
Having at least one fixed, corded phone is also useful in the event of a power outage as they receive power through the phone line. Many people in Christchurch found they were without any means of making phone contact with loved ones, as they only had access to cordless phones which run on mains power.

With the recent disasters in mind, we should all make the effort to take a few precautions.

Hon Dr Wayne Mapp
MP North Shore

ENDS

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