2004 Foreshore and Seabed Act. 15 June 2010

The cartoon shows Prime Minister John Key, and Co-leaders of the Maori Party, Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples, standing with their backs to the viewer on a large launch. They are in the process of committing a coffin representing the '2004 Foreshore and Seabed Act' to the deep. Refers to the decision to repeal the 2004 Act by the government, after consultation with the Maori Party, in favour of a new Bill that will grant ownership of the foreshore and seabed to neither the crown nor Maori but will make it 'public space' (as yet there is no agreement about what it should be called) which means it belongs to no-one but will allow Maori a controlling interest in the development of the land. Existing Maori and Pakeha private titles would continue unaffected as would public access and existing navigation and fishing rights. There have been additions, including the two-track regime for seeking customary rights and title and the establishment of universal recognition orders. Customary title will cover development rights, and the right to veto development by others. Some mineral rights will be conferred. The universal recognition orders will recognise the links an iwi has with the foreshore and seabed, but will not confer any rights. Maori Party co-leaders Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia said they had fulfilled a long-standing promise to repeal the Foreshore and Seabed Act, which did not permit iwi to seek customary title through the courts.

Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).