MEDIA RELEASE

Seabed and Foreshore Reaction

7 April 2004

The Action, Research and Education Network of Aotearoa (ARENA) has accused the Labour Government of proposing a race based law on ownership of the foreshore and seabed.

“The Government’s proposals, as they have been reported, are illegal in terms of international law and immoral in terms of the Crown’s obligations to uphold property rights,” said Joe Davies, Arena’s spokesperson on colonization.

“The Crown could not get away with confiscating the property of any other group in New Zealand - the racist nature of these proposals must concern all those who supported Dr Brash’s outburst in Orewa.”

Arena urged the Government to withdraw the proposed legislation.

“Confiscating yet more Maori land is the worst solution to the foreshore and seabed issue. It’s time for some justice. We would support moves to test this proposed legislation against New Zealand’s obligations under international law.”

ENDS

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