Turia At Centre Of Controversial Statement On Beaches

[ Send Tariana your support; tturia@ministers.govt.nz ]

21 August 2003

Labour MP Tariana Turia is refusing to comment on a controversial statement she issued on behalf of the Labour Maori MP caucus without their full authorization.

The statement on Monday warned of "huge conflict" if the Government tried to legislate away potential Maori customary ownership of the foreshore and seabed. The statement said it was clear from a briefing to Maori representatives on Monday that the proposals would create anger among the MPs' constituents.

"It is clear that any attempt to extinguish customary ownership of the foreshore and seabed will create huge conflict for tangata whenua. Our people have expressed that their interests are always compromised in the so-called public interest."

Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen told an Auckland newspaper the statement "wasn't from the Maori caucus (and) it had not been cleared by the Maori caucus committee as a whole." It is understood Mrs Turia drafted a statement distributed to Maori caucus members who attended a briefing on Monday morning. It was later issued after no major concerns were raised, but did not receive formal approval from MPs as events on Monday rapidly unfolded. At least two Labour Maori MPs did not attend the briefing.

Mrs Turia is refusing to comment on controversy over the statement. The majority of Maori MPs have been cautious in their response to the Government's plans to ensure no one can hold private title to land below the high tide mark, while recognizing in some way Maori customary use.

Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia has admitted there are "tensions" within the Maori caucus, but MP Dover Samuels has left no doubt which side he was on. "I support these proposals. I think they are visionary and forward looking rather than arguing about who was here first," he said.

There has been speculation that Mrs Turia, who usually holds the most extreme view within the Maori caucus, may quit over the issue. "We're not saying we're walking out of here, but what we are saying is that it's clearly an extremely defining issue," she said after the Government announced the proposals.

Maori caucus chairman Mita Ririnui said he was aware that the statement was going out even though not all the MPs agreed on all the points. Mr Ririnui supported the retention of customary rights and believed the consultation process would establish the extent of those rights. "We've (the Maori caucus) had as much input to the proposals as we think necessary," he said. "It's now in the public arena (and) it's an opportunity for Maori and New Zealanders in general to comment on it."