One Rule For All Kiwis, Minister

The Labour Government's Land Access Ministerial Reference Group, formed to review public access to private land, now appears to be advocating a separate strategy for Maori land, ACT New Zealand Rural Affairs Spokesman Gerry Eckhoff said today.

"At a meeting of over 200 in Taranaki last night, it was very clear the Ministerial Reference Group believes Maori land should be treated differently to land owned by non-Maori," Mr Eckhoff said.

"Apparently this is because of Maori cultural and traditional values towards the land.

"Such attitudes by the Ministerial Reference Group only serve to harden the resolve of non-Maori landowners. A Property right, is a property right - end of story.

"Yet again, the cultural cringe of this Government-appointed Ministerial Reference Group serves only to add fuel to an already heated issue.

"Rural Affairs Minister Jim Sutton must make it abundantly clear - one rule for all New Zealanders, regardless of ethnicity," Mr Eckhoff said.

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