Nats & Maori Party headed for foreshore & seabed showdown

Written By: - Date published: 10:00 am, February 12th, 2010 - 25 comments
Categories: foreshore and seabed, maori party, national - Tags:

It turns out that the silly ‘no-one owns it’ option for the foreshore and seabed is John Key’s ‘elegant solution’. Here he is defending the proposal:

“It is a concept where you don’t get into the emotional debate of ownership. Now it sounds a bit foreign when you think about it, but no-one owns the air, no one owns the sea and we live happily in that sort of environment.”

Um. John, look up Bernstein v Skyviews & General Ltd – a landowner has owns such airspace above their land as is necessary for the ordinary use and enjoyment of their land and the structures upon it. And my understanding is the Crown owns the sea out to international waters – it has the power to control all use of that sea except for innocent passage and other exceptions under international law. So, not the best comparisons John.

And Tariana Turia has rejected the con straight off. But Key has decided to play hard ball:

“My preference would be to repeal the law, come up with a better solution, have general buy-in and have it be acceptable. I’m not going to shove it down the throats of Maori. If they say they don’t want it, then they don’t want it. And we can always leave the legislation as it is.”

Ouch? See that? ‘This is my offer, take it or leave it’. Perhaps he has seen the Maori Party back down on so many things over the last year he expects they’ll fold again. But this is the foreshore and seabed. This is the big kahuna for the Maori Party. If they were to buy into Key’s silly no ownership option, it would be their death knell. They are not going to be bought off, even by letting Sharples write a new national anthem.

Key is about to find that promising a bed of roses is easy, but building that bed involves dealing with lots of thorns.

This is going to get very interesting.

25 comments on “Nats & Maori Party headed for foreshore & seabed showdown ”

  1. John Key’s solution sounds like Labour’s original proposal (that the F&S be held “in commons”). National (and I’m sure Key) attacked that at the time and Labour backed down and went for Crown Ownership with recognition of Customy Title.

  2. tc 2

    Nat 2008…F&S Evil trust us we’ll fix it
    Nat 2010…F&S Okey Dokey like S59/EFA are also.

    Rememebr ‘Kiwi not Iwi’ and we now have a raft of preferential treatments being handed out by Johnny clown to keep the MParty ‘in line’, the latest one I’m led to believe being Sharples getting Maori schools exempted from Toecutter Tolley’s mandatory standards rollout…..they get the trial everyone wanted.

    To quote some former South Africans “…I came here to escape systemic racism…”, now I’m not saying Maori shouldn’t get some targetted assistance/programs etc but I can see the Nats leaving us with a springbok tour sized issue if they don’t handle it intelligently and carefully…….which means listening and appearing interested…mmmm.

    One thing’s for sure….the MSM will applaud anything they do simply beacause it’s not Helen anymore.

  3. BLiP 3

    Ahhh – its all beginning to make sense. This “do nothing” meme has masked the careful setting of an ambush designed to take our minerals from those that own them by those that want them.

    In october last year, stuff reported that National Ltdâ„¢ approved two prospecting permit applications lodged by Australian iron-ore giant Fortescue Metals Group subsidiary FMG Pacific lodged in June. Areas covered by the two-year permits include an 8204-square-kilometre area of seabed adjoining the west coast from Cape Reinga to the Manukau Harbour.

    How handy it would be if no one owned the sea bead.

  4. IrishBill 4

    And we can always leave the legislation as it is.’

    Jesus. That’s the smiling assassin right there. Either the maori party can suck it up and try to sell this as a win or they can split from national. 2010 is shaping up to be a good year for those who view politics as sport.

  5. yes – now is the time for labour (and their supporters) to really stick it to the maori party – give them heaps and make them pay for their impertinence … and watch as you drive them back to the gnats – so sad really that the left plays into the right’s hands like this

  6. gobsmacked 6

    They are heading for three showdowns, at least.

    1) Foreshore & Seabed.

    2) GST (though I reckon the Maori Party will cave on that one)

    3) Whanau Ora

    Here’s Turia (from Waatea News):

    “Associate social welfare minister Tariana Turia says if non-Maori want whanau ora, they can develop their own version.

    In this week’s statement to Parliament, Prime Minister John Key said the Government will ensure Whanau Ora is available to New Zealanders of all races who are in need.

    Mrs Turia says while she doesn’t mind other people having the same opportunities, the Whanau Ora taskforce led by Sir Mason Durie is working on Maori solutions to Maori problems.”

    Key has to cover himself with the Orewa base (so not ‘race-based’), while Turia wants exactly that. Trouble brewing there.

  7. felix 7

    Take it or leave it. I sense a shafting coming.

  8. Hine Te Po 8

    Kia-ora,

    The left is as bad as the right in the treatment it accords to things Maaori. The aspirations of tangata whenua are labelled “race-based” and hard fought gains are described as “preferential.”

    What we are demanding and what we shall continue to fight for is recognition of our Treaty rights – as depicted in the Te Tiriti o Waitangi (not the English version). But then, even the English version and the principles derived therefrom have yet to be fully comprehended and thus implemented by successive governments of either persuasion.

    I sincerely wish the left would give up on the notion of viewing Maaori as simply another type of Pakeha – we are unique peoples fighting for the right to exist as separate peoples.

  9. prism 9

    If the thrust of the policy was voiced as an attack on poverty and poor life outcomes with which Maori were highly motivated to work, Whanau Ora could then be regarded as a major policy focus to be followed by further programs widening the catchment.

    Poverty is high amongst Maori but also other ethnic groups as well. If it was lessening poverty and increasing life opportunities that was the expressed mission, then there would be policy changes to tailor it to different groups Maori amongst them, rather than presenting it as a “Maori exclusive” program.

    • Lew 9.1

      I think the point is that those groups need to tailor it for themselves rather than having well-meaning Pākehā (or Māori) do it for them. But there will be a lot in common between such programmes, so a degree of coordination and general guidance would be valuable.

      L

  10. As a life long Socialist I must say that the Maori Party has been a big disapointment to me.When first formed there was an opportunity for the

  11. As a life long Socialist the Maori Party has beeen one of disapointment .Here we had a chance for the political Left to form a partnership that would have been of benifit to all. I think Labour missed out by writting the Maori Party off and I dont know how at his stage we can rectify that.Hopefully someone will come up with a solution..However having said that I think the real,downfull of the Maori Party has been its two leaders .Tariana Turia’s unnatural dislike of Helen Clark has destroyed any credibility she had . Sharples love of the good life he enjoys as a leader has corrupted him ,there he is living it up like some English Lord whilst his constituents are unemployed or on low mininum wages. The soon this unworkable party implodes the better ,Then Maori need to negotiate with Labour to really get above Maori problems.

    • Lew 11.1

      Pink Postman,

      Perhaps the problem is that you mistake Māori poltics and Māori political loyalties, with their strong communitarian elements, for a sort of brown socialism. This is a common misconception, but it is just that — a misconception.

      That having been said, I agree that the past five years have been an enormous missed opportunity for the NZ left — though I see this as being predominantly Labour’s doing. Turia’s dislike of Clark is not in the slightest bit “unnatural” given the fact that Clark led the biggest single expropriation of Māori rights and resources of the latter part of that century, and even now, Labour doesn’t seem to have figured out where it went wrong.

      Labour has historically treated Māori as an electoral ATM — votes out, occasional policy in. They are deeply in debt, and Māori have — more than seventy years after the original alliance with Rātana — have signalled that they may restrict Labour’s line of credit. The sooner Labour realises that they need to make good on this debt, the better — for the country as well as the party. A Labour/Māori/Green coalition would be a genuine political force to be reckoned with — but it won’t happen until Labour realises where its loyalties lie.

      L

    • gitmo 11.2

      I have a suggestion on how you can get over your disappointment.

      Fuck off you patronising twat and get a life.

  12. I sincerely wish the left would give up on the notion of viewing Maaori as simply another type of Pakeha we are unique peoples fighting for the right to exist as separate peoples.

    Just don’t forget where you came from, the roots of your culture, language and traditions and that you’re part of a wider peoples ( pun intended). In return we as polynesians wont forget you were here first and therefore our hosts…so umm whats for dinner ? 🙂

  13. Hopefully someone will come up with a solution..

    I already posted mine in another thread.

    Shane Jones and Hone Harawira for the win. The moderate and the radical. Maori starting with the far north would unite behind them on a labour ticket given Keys bungling of anything maori related. They are whanaunga after all and blood is thicker than water.

    It’s just a matter of time before Hone pulls the pin on Turia and Sharples.

Links to post

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-25T16:50:55+00:00