Human Rights Commission
Media release
2 July, 2009

Foreshore Review based on human rights approach

The Human Rights Commission welcomes the recommendation of the Ministerial Review of the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004 to repeal the act.

Chief Human Rights Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan said, “The Ministerial Review recognises the underlying human rights issues that needed to be addressed.”

She said the 2004 act, that vested ownership of the foreshore and seabed with the Crown, raised concerns for natural justice, most importantly, the right to equality before the law denied to Maori.

Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said the Act had a detrimental effect on race relations. “It was law made in haste and has been a source of dispute for far too long. The climate that led to the act was a low point in our race relations and we need to find ways to move forward with consensus.”

The Commission supports the Ministerial Review’s proposal based on core principles involving the recognition of customary rights, public access, good faith and equal treatment. These principles offered a fair and human-rights based foundation on which to build an enduring and positive relationship between the Crown and Maori.

ENDS