February 10, 2011

Ngai Tahu disappointed with committee report

Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Mark Solomon has expressed disappointment at a majority Select Committee report to Parliament on the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill.

The Maori Affairs Select Committee report was released yesterday and recommended the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill be passed with only minor amendments.

“We had hoped the review and replacement process would produce a durable and fair outcome for Iwi and the nation. It is disappointing that this second attempt at resolving the issue so closely resembles Labour's scheme and that we have not progressed far enough."

Mr Solomon says he is also disappointed to read media reports that the Select Committee did not have adequate legal advice, “The threshold test for customary title was a major concern and legal advice on this matter would have been helpful.”

Mr Solomon says he would rather all parties pause on the process and reconsider.

"The most important outcome for Ngai Tahu is that a fair and principled solution that can be widely supported is implemented. If that takes time, then we should take it."

ENDS

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