Public access assurances "monstrous deception"

Public access assurances "monstrous deception"

Claims by Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson and Prime Minister John Key that public access over the foreshore will be "guaranteed" under the Marine and Coastal Area Bill have no substance.

Recreation Access New Zealand spokesman, Bruce Mason, says that the Bill authorises wardens "to promote compliance with a prohibition or restriction" over any customary title area deemed to be wahi tapu. Summary arrests and fines of up to $5000 could follow.

As 'wahi tapu' will mean "a place sacred to Maori in the traditional, spiritual, religious, ritual, or mythological sense", what official or politician is going to resist such expansive and undefinable beliefs that serve some Maori aspirations for control and authority over everyone else?

Just because Mr Finlayson says that he has not heard of any Maori group wanting to exclude the public does not mean that this will not happen. In fact he has made express provision to do so.

The Bill is a monstrous deception and betrayal of the public. It mirrors what Labour claimed about "guaranteeing" public access under the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004. The only blessing this time is that the penalty for entering so-called 'common marine and coastal areas' has been halved from $10,000, Mr Mason concluded.

Recreation Access New Zealand is a campaign seeking protection of public access rights and better management of recreational resources by public authorities. Bruce Mason is a long standing researcher and advocate for public recreation over New Zealand's public lands and waters.

ENDS