Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell has replaced controversial Maori MP Hone Harawira on the select committee reviewing the new foreshore and seabed legislation.
Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell says it is unlikely the new foreshore and seabed bill will satisfy all New Zealanders.
The Maori Party removed Hone because he opposes the new Marine and Coastal Area Bill which replaces Labour's controversial 2004 legislation.
Te Ururoa says his appointment had unanimous support from the party caucus.
'It wasn't appropriate for him to stay there. They (caucus) believed we needed to have someone else there.”
He now wants to ensure the new bill is aired in the public arena and goes through the correct parliamentary process.
'The bottom line is that it's a Maori Party bill. My job is to listen to what people have to say, find out what changes they think need to be made, report that back to colleagues and see if it can be improved in any way.”
He says Maori Party MPs have liaised with coastal iwi across the country, such as Tauranga's Ngai Te Rangi, Ngati Pukenga and Ngati Ranginui.
Iwi representatives from all three iwi told SunLive they are considering claiming customary title, under the new legislation, to coastal areas in the Western Bay of Plenty.
'I'm hoping the majority of supporters will be happy with it. But clearly there are some who have concerns and we'll listen to those and see what happens as we go through the process.”
4 comments
Replaced
Posted on 29-10-2010 16:32 | By maggiebop
And he should be replaced totally in Parliament!
amazed the fool is still in parliament
Posted on 30-10-2010 10:55 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
I agree with Maggie, most NZers find it incomprehensible that someone so prone to racist outbursts and full of hatred towards "white mo*****-f*****s" can be allowed to reamin as an MP. Certainly his is not a 'fit and proper person', his position on the Maori Affairs select committee was controversial at best. Much like have a fox looking after the hen-house. The public furore over the Paul Henry comments is a joke, especially considering the toleration of Mr Harawira as an MP in the NZ Parliament. Hypocracy at it's best. While Te Ururoa may be more of a gentleman and approachable, he will still have a hard time promoting the proposed legislation to the vast majority of (non-coastal-maori) NZers, as well as defending the hidden threats that this dangerous legislation proposes to NZ society. Such as: - No restriction on charging recreational or COMMERCIAL users for access or use of the foreshore and seabed.(delibertately left out Section 40(b) from 2004 Foreshore and Seabed Act) - No restriction or consultation on Wahi Tapu sites, or where they can be placed. Up to $5000 fine for any member of the public caught breaching these areas. It could even be the mount main beach?? (after all, old bones were found there, and 'blood was spilt' there??) - Iwi annexing/ownership if any mineral or commercial resources in the area (with the exception of Gold, silver, uranium, oil, etc. which are already vested in the government). Would not stop iwi charging commercial operators for anchoring (or building structures attached) to the seabed if they owned it. This is already happening with some of the lake beds that have been 'gifted back'. DoC ferry concessions could be vetoed or monopolised by iwi, and prices ramped up. We all pay for it in the end...... - would any of these profits find their way back to regular iwi/hapu members? Or would they get swallowed up by corporate iwi, directors fees, etc? - Will this increase the number of cases that the police must deal with each year of hostile activists blocking access to the beach or other areas, simply because they believe it is their right to, or because they can see some $$ to be made from it? Almost certainly. Incidents such as what is happening now at Shipwreck Bay (90 mile beach), Waimana valley access blockade(near Taneatua), and access issues at Te Kaha, will almost certainly become regular events if customary title is awared to certain iwi. The whole coastline of NZ is potentially up for grabs. Some MP's have acknowledged this. - The legislation also proposes that iwi do not have to actually go to court in order to get customary title. Under clauses 93-95 of the bill the awarding of customary title can be done by "recognition by agreement" with the minister IN SECRET, WITH NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE INTERESTS OR OPPONENTS PRESENT, AND WITH NO CROSS EXAMINATION OR PUBLIC SCRUTINY, rather than in the High Court. The current Minister is Chris Finlayson (a former Ngai Tahu employee), but in future it could just as well be Pita Sharples,...... or Hone Harawira!??!!! - This bill, if passed as it is now written, would cause a huge amount of social turmoil. If you actually read it thoroughly it is potentially socially devisive, destructive, and is extremely biased in favour of Maori. It actually reads like a platform for a landgrab, or a mechanism to control and extort money from the public, government, or commerical operators at will. The closing date for public submission on the proposed bill is Friday, November 19, 2010. I strongly suggest all voters in Tauranga get of their backsides and oppose this legislation, now, before it goes any further. Our MP Simon is actually on the Maori Affairs select committee. Start writing letters and making appointments now. Have a nice weekend.... maybe at the beach? At least it while it is still free..... for now!
More Open Minded?
Posted on 30-10-2010 18:37 | By carpedeum
I hope Mr Flavell is more openminded that Mr Honerewa. I agree with Maggie that he (Harawera) should not be in Parliament at all. The Maori party should have tossed him out when he demonstrated his bias when he uttered his first (racial) outburst
I couldn't agree more with Raptor
Posted on 01-11-2010 09:00 | By SpeakUp
The FS&SB has to remain public domain. And this uncouth low-life Harawira has done irreparable damage to the Maori cause and has insulted ALL New Zealanders.
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