[Tide and tweak] 16 June 2010

The cartoon shows a shoreline with crabs and shells. Text in the centre of the image reads 'The Foreshore and Seabed Act' but the word 'Foreshore' is crossed out and the words 'not sure' are intended to replace it; also 'sea' in 'seabed' is crossed out to be replaced by the words 'Now you see it now you don't'. A second version has the text 'The not sure and now-you-see-bed-now-you-don't Act' (wordplay on 'see but' and 'seabed'). Refers to the subtlety of the distinction between the repealed 2004 Act and the probable wording of the new act. The new act will make the foreshore and seabed neither Crown nor Maori land, but a public place which will belong to neither but will give Maori certain rights. Existing Maori and Pakeha private titles will continue unaffected as will 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. (Information from Stuff)

Quantity: 2 digital cartoon(s).