Marine and Oceans

When the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004 was being hotly debated across the country, Maori and Pakeha critics of the Act clearly argued that if the Government had full legal and beneficial ownership of the foreshore and seabed, it would lead to extensive commercial exploitation of the mineral and marine resources. Many argued that commercial exploitation was the primary purpose behind the desire to own the foreshore and seabed - and many coastal communities along the West Coast of the North Island now agree.

There are increasing numbers of applications for prospecting, exploration and mining permits for iron sand mining along the West Coast. Much of this area is a marine protection area for the Maui and Hectors Dolphins which are endangered species. Hapu have a very limited involvement in the application process and coastal communities are largely cut out from any consultation.