Labour Fuels Treaty Grievance Industry

Monday 15 Dec 2003
Ken Shirley
Press Releases -- Treaty of Waitangi & Maori Affairs

ACT New Zealand Deputy Leader Ken Shirley today accused the Labour Government of duplicity and inconsistency over the transfer of ownership of 14 Rotorua lakes and foreshores from the Crown to local iwi.

"On one hand, Labour heralds the importance of public domain as the main status for foreshore and seabed, and yet passes ownership of these iconic lakes - and their foreshore - to local iwi, who can control development and charge for all commercial uses of these important recreational lakes," Mr Shirley said.

"A full and final settlement was negotiated and legislated for in 1922 - with the lakebeds and foreshore vested in the Crown, and annual payments made to Te Arawa. Now, 81 years later, the Labour Government is overturning this full and final settlement, and passing ownership to the Te Arawa.

"The 1992 Tuwharetoa settlement for Lake Taupo has been given by the Crown as a precedent. This is not a good example, as the condition assuring full public access for all recreational pursuits and scientific activity without fee has not been upheld.

"The Crown represents us all. By overturning earlier final settlements, the Labour Government is cynically feeding the Treaty grievance industry, creating a climate for further tensions and social conflict," Mr Shirley said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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