'New foreshore legislation'. 5 July 2009

Prime Minister John Key wades in the sea at the beach. When he peers under a rock near a signpost that reads 'New Foreshore legislation' his nose and his fingers are grabbed in the pincers of two large crabs, one representing 'occupation' and the other 'compo' (compensation). Refers to occupation of the foreshore and seabed by Maori thus preventing (maybe) the right of ordinary people from using the beach and also refers to the PM's revealing that compensation for Maori grievances over the foreshore and seabed is unlikely to be paid out.These problems have re-emerged as a result of the government's probable decision in deference to the Maori Party to repeal the Foreshore and Seabed Act that was legislated by the Labour government in 2005. People are afraid that access to beaches will be limited. A ministerial review panel suggests the Government should replace the act with legislation acknowledging that Maori with traditional interests in the coastal area have some form of customary title to it and that the public has a legitimate interest in access and navigation. The ministerial review panel has agreed with most submissions it received that the act failed to recognise Maori property rights.

Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).