Press Release
For Immediate Use

A range of Wellington based groups dressed in snorkelling and surf gear braved the Wellington weather today to call on media to "tell the truth and reveal all sides of the foreshore and seabed debate".

"This is an opportunity for Pakeha to ensure that a confiscation does not occur in their time but they need to be informed on the issue. We call on Pakeha groups to support Maori, to support due process and to stop a modern day act of colonialism."

The groups came together on Lambton Quay at one of the entrances to Parliament where media representatives will be awaiting the government's announcement on the foreshore and seabed legislation.

A spokesperson for one of the groups said "We understand that the government has employed two public relations companies to spin their side of the story to the public, but we just want to encourage the media to give a fair hearing to all sides of the debate."

"The government is supposed to educate people about an issue not just con them. In this instance people are being scared by claims that Maori will deny access to the beaches but this issue is about justice."

"In solidarity with a convergence of iwi Maori to oppose the foreshore and seabed in Wellington - May 5th, we deem it necessary to highlight the need for accuracy in the media" the group said today.

For further information http://aotearoa.wellington.net.nz/he

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