Govt set to turn back tide on seabed

The Government is poised to overturn the Foreshore and Seabed Act – as its former leader says National was wrong to oppose Maori having their day in court.

The Cabinet is expected to debate a paper today outlining the Government's response to a review recommending repealing Labour's contentious legislation.

Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples – whose party sees the act's repeal as a touchstone of its relationship with National – said last week that the Government would scupper the act after months of consultation.

Sources were playing down the likelihood of a decision today, as the Government prepares to reopen one of the most divisive issues of the past decade.

The ministerial review team recommended repealing the act and replacing it with an interim system recognising customary rights and general public access while widespread consultation over a replacement took place.

National opposed the legislation when it was in Opposition and former leader Don Brash whipped up a Pakeha backlash with his "one law for all" speech at Orewa in 2004.

Brash said yesterday he felt National got it wrong when it opposed iwi being able to test their claim to ownership of the foreshore and seabed in court.

The Foreshore and Seabed Act was written in response to a Court of Appeal case that suggested iwi able to prove continuous customary use of the foreshore and seabed might have a claim to freehold title.

- © Fairfax NZ News