Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations of New Zealand Inc
P O Box 1876 Wellington
15 March 2005

Media Release:

UN Racial Discrimination Decision Concerns Outdoor Recreationists

The Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations is concerned that the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has criticised the Government over the recent Foreshore and Seabed Act.

Council spokesman Dr Hugh Barr said "Many Maori foreshore and seabed customary rights are already protected under other legislation or can be under Treaty Claim Settlements. There is also the opportunity to protect customary rights under very strong sections of the Resource Management Act. We have always been concerned that the Foreshore and Seabed Act had a significant element of double dipping in it."

"The Foreshore and Seabed Act allows Maori to make claims and have them considered. So it is not true that the legislation removes Maori rights. The case also led to Maori getting at least 20% of aquaculture developments, the issue that led to the court case in the first place" Dr Barr said.

He also noted that the Act balances Maori customary rights against the public's long established access rights, and the fact that in New Zealand law the foreshore and seabed has always been a public common owned by all New Zealanders.

ENDS

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