Foreshore Submissions Defy Belief

Wednesday 8 Sep 2004

Ken Shirley - Press Releases - Treaty of Waitangi & Maori Affairs

Some Maori have expectations that can never be satisfied, and transcend the ridiculous, ACT New Zealand member of the Select Committee considering the Foreshore and Seabed Bill Ken Shirley said today.

"Sitting in Auckland today, the Select Committee heard a submission from representatives of Tuhoe, who claim absolute sovereignty through their rohe with title over the sea extending 400 nautical miles offshore," Mr Shirley said.

"In answer to my questions, they also confirmed their claims of absolute sovereignty over all air space to the heavens above. It was specifically stated that, once the Foreshore and Seabed legislation is resolved, they would be approaching Air New Zealand and other airlines to negotiate compensation for all incursions into their air space.

"They drew the parallel of other sovereign states where missiles are deployed to shoot down unauthorised aircraft. The group also confirmed that it would be approaching NASA and other authorities in respect of their satellites that orbit the Earth.

"The hapu sovereignty claim is titled `Te Kooti Tino Rangatiratanga', and invokes Treaty partnership with Queen Elizabeth and her representative the Governor General.

"It is interesting that Tuhoe and several other tribes have never signed the Treaty, and yet simultaneously promote a partnership relationship with the Crown while asserting absolute and unhindered sovereignty in all matters.

"These farcical examples are real, and underscore the folly of the Labour Government's attempts to codify and create an instrument within the Resource Management Act that is based on spiritual belief," Mr Shirley said.

ENDS

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