Maori Party welcomes PMs statement on Foreshore and Seabed Act

Maori Party co-leaders Tariana Turia and Dr Pita Sharples welcomed the clear indication today from the Prime Minister that the Foreshore and Seabed Act is to be repealed.

“There is a process in place that we support,” said Dr Sharples and Mrs Turia.

“We agree that repeal should take place after iwi and hapu have completed consultations with their own people on what should replace the Act,” they said.

“As the Maori Party, our job is to secure repeal – now the initiative moves to iwi and hapu to find a way forward, in negotiations with the government.

“We look forward to legislation that is inclusive of all people, and which restores the ancestral rights of tangata whenua,” they said.