United Future
Gordon Copeland

Public domain does make a difference

“I believe all New Zealanders would feel much more comfortable if they knew that the foreshore and the seabed around New Zealand was permanently vested in the public domain.  New Zealand First, following the potential defection of three Labour Party MPs in connection with the legislation, breathlessly informed the nation that public domain was an American republicanism idea.

“Tell that to Aucklanders in respect of the Auckland Domain or to me as a former three mile specialist in my younger days running on the domain at Mapua or playing cricket on the domain at Tasman.  The fact is that for a very long time New Zealanders have not only referred to their public spaces as “domains” but instinctively appreciate that the word signifies that these are special public places owned by all citizens for all time.”