Seabed and Foreshore: No 'elegant' solution in sight

The current government's “elegant” idea that they can dodge their responsibility and garner electoral support from Maoridom by declaring the seabed and foreshore an independent entity called “Public Domain” is ridiculous.

Property rights are guaranteed by Statute. To prove the point how have we changed its status? By passing the Seabed and Foreshore Act. How does the Maori Party wish to seek a remedy? By Statute.

Maoridom signed the Treaty of Waitangi with the Crown. They seek redress  for past grievances from the Waitangi Tribunal (a body established by the Crown). They also wish to use the Courts to establish their customary rights. Are not the Courts an independent arm of the Crown?

If Maoridom rejects the Crowns authority over the Seabed and Foreshore they also reject its protection and the possibility of remediation for past grievances.

The term Public Domain is not a new one. In the past many reserve lands were established and protected by statute for specific uses. These domains were usually controlled by locally appointed or elected  boards. So is this the Government's elegant solution?

The current furore over the seabed and foreshore arose because Maoridom believe (probably rightly) that they did not get a fair deal over the allocation of aquaculture licenses in the Marlborough Sounds. But hang on. The licensing was controlled by locally elected boards.

The next problem that arises is that not all the NZ seabed and foreshore will be Public Domain. Some of the prime coastal land is already in private hands and public access is denied. Will the Government make this “Private Domain”? I don’t think so!

Most of our major harbours and estuaries are currently under the control of local boards established by statute and accountable to the crown. Think of all the structures wharves, jetties, breakwaters etc. Who guarantees their safety? Who will be responsible for coastal erosion and protection? Does Maoridom really believe that a minority group will get a fair deal when local commercial interests are involved?

A final question.Who would then control licensing for ironsand, gravel and mineral mining of the seabed and foreshore?