The MACA gravy train

Usually the media does a pretty good job recording Kiwis' affinity with coastal locations over the summer season. It is therefore somewhat disappointing that journalists, reporters and editorial opinion writers choose to disregard the looming threat to our marine and coastal areas, including beaches, harbours and recreational fishing.

Alarmingly, in early 2017 at the death-knell of the six-year expiry date, nearly 600 MACA claims were filed in the High Court by Maori, many simply kite-flying and speculative, plus a similar number of claims in tandem to the Minister of Justice/Attorney General/Office of Treaty Settlements.

Labour's Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004 was good legislation but National, under pressure from vested interest Maori groups, stupidly didn't agree and cobbled together poorly drafted MACA 2011 legislation which Key and Finlayson stated would result in negligible claims. Well hello, 600 applications claiming the whole NZ coastline isn't minor!

February 2018 is the deadline for Kiwis to register special interests under MACA if they don't want to toss away public rights of free access and use.

Apathetic Kiwis, you know what is happening is wrong. Stand up for your birth right and legal rights of all Kiwis. The same distrust applies to Freshwater and Wai 262 Claims lurking in the wings. Incidentally, the bloated MACA legal costs could be as high as $300 million.

R Paterson, Matapihi.

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6 comments

Gravy Train

Posted on 19-01-2018 08:52 | By MISS ADVENTURE

I would dispute that the media coverage of all things "GRAVY-TRAIN" are well covered. In fact the important stuff isnt even touched upon.


Leeches in Wellington?

Posted on 19-01-2018 10:44 | By MISS ADVENTURE

Obviously have no issue in tossing away Kiwi rights and entitlements simply to get their greasy mits on $300m odd in legal fees. No wonder when a lawyer is in the surf not shark will touch them out of "professional" (stated on an extremely loose basis) curtiousy!


Why not tell the truth, it's so easy.

Posted on 21-01-2018 08:18 | By R. Bell

Maori are not claiming"ownership"of the coastline, simply registering their right to customary rights. None of it affects the current rights of all citizens.End of. Robin Bell.


“Gold Rush”

Posted on 21-01-2018 13:57 | By crazyhorse

Many of these


BUT, WE HAVE TO PAY!

Posted on 21-01-2018 14:04 | By crazyhorse

The High Court process allows members of the public to join these proceedings. However,any "non" maori opposing them have to pay $110 to the High Court for each claim disputed,however there is no limit to the amount of money that treaty troughers are given by the Government over $13 million to pay lawyers and others to argue their claims, while non-tribal participants such as CORANZ have to pay their own way.The high risk now is that claims with no public interest opponent will be prime targets for the tribal groups and their lawyers to pull the wool over "pet" judges inexperienced about this type of claim.


Customary Rights and Ownership in the end mean the same thing to maori.

Posted on 21-01-2018 14:22 | By CONDOR

As usual R. Bell is away in La La land and spouting nothing but unmitigated B/S. Amen.


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