The controversial Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill passed into law on Thursday – a move Tauranga's largest iwi is describing as ‘unfortunate'.

Ngai Te Rangi chairman Charlie Tawhiao says the Bill is rushed and has not been given adequate consideration.

Charlie Tawhiao.

'Ngai te Rangi opposed aspects of it in principle.

'We felt it was antithetical to who we are as people, in terms of our relationship with the foreshore and seabed.”

Tauranga's three iwi, Ngai Te Rangi, Ngati Pukenga and Ngati Ranginui, all opposed the Bill during the submission hearings.

Charlie says the test to qualify for customary title to the foreshore and seabed, as outlined in the Bill, is too difficult because iwi have to prove continuous and uninterrupted use of coastal areas.

He says that is impossible for Tauranga iwi to prove because their coastal areas were confiscated.

'One way of looking at it is that they (government) seem to be upsetting both ends so maybe they have it quite right.

'They have found the balance.

'I ran an informal poll of my own at a party where mostly non-Maori and the majority were thinking they don't see it affecting their lives one way or another,” says Charlie.

Ngati Ranginui treaty group chairman Antoine Coffin says they offered suggestions to improve the Bill, but says that was ignored and the final Bill is disappointing.

'The feeling that any legislation that is past to allay fears of part of the community will have difficulty as an enduring piece of legislation.”

Similarly to Ngai Te Rangi, Antoine says his iwi's main concern with the Bill was its test for claiming customary title.

Ngai Te Rangi proposed in its submission that the test be modified.

'At the end of the day ,we have seen no real change in this legislation.”