United Future

The trouble with the Government's latest "Seabed & Foreshore" Bill is in its terms. It is extremely open-ended and nebulous, and there is a heck of a lot not specified.

In defending it, the Government is being very economical with the truth. Public access and use is certainly not yet guaranteed to be "free" and the definition of "wahi tapu" is so wide that it can be imposed for any reason, anywhere in the claimed area of sea - mythical taniwhas included.

The threshold for gaining customary title and rights is not high at all. There is little requirement to "prove" much at all. Then once title and rights are gained, the Bill allows these to be transferred or delegated. So Kiwis could be in the position of having a non-Maori organisation (say Pakeha, Chinese or Russian) exploiting the seabed and imposing their "customary rights" on the rest of us (including other Maori).

The bottom line of the whole Bill is that Kiwis will pay big time via Maori-claimants or their business partners imposing levies & fees, taking "commissions" & imposing their coastal plans on Councils & DOC. Even if claimants go to Court instead of doing a private deal with a Minister, the lawyers will have a great time with it - and guess what, the taxpayer pays all those bills as well.

If passed, this Bill can only hasten NZ's slide into 3rd world status. Don't believe me? Then read the Bill.