Saw this and thought of wonder what bills input would be.

Mayor hits out at Maori 'bully boys'
03 July 2003


The Government must stop being intimidated by the "bully boys" of Maoridom and legislate immediately to protect the rights of all New Zealanders, says Marlborough's mayor.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen, who last night met with Maori MPs over the seabed and foreshore issue, said after the meeting there had been progress for both parties.

Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia, who last week expressed strong opposition to legislation on the grounds that it breached Maori rights, was also positive about the meeting's outcome.

Dr Cullen said he believed legislation would still be required to resolve the issue, but said nothing concrete had been discussed at this stage.

However Marlborough mayor Tom Harrison said this morning it was time for the Government to take positive action.

He was disturbed to see the Prime Minister backing down from initially strong moves to legislate in the face of intimidation tactics from the "bully boys" of Maoridom.

Maori MPs earlier this week met with Maori activists, including Moutua Gardens protester Ken Mair, who have vowed to occupy beaches and clutter the courts if the Government curtails Maori rights to the seabed and foreshore. Meanwhile Marlborough Maori and the Marlborough District Council, who have been involved in the court case, have been left out of discussions.

"The Government is listening to the wrong people. It makes me angry when I see the ugly face of Maoridom entering the scene when local Maori have not been involved in the decision," Mr Harrison said.

Marlborough Maori yesterday also voiced anger at being left out of proceedings.

Meanwhile Port Marlborough chairman David Dew today signalled the port would join the Marlborough District Council in appealing to the Privy Council in London, to protect the status quo in case the Government failed to resolve the issue.

Mr Dew said they would be talking with local Maori to look at their interests.

Mr Harrison said the seabed and foreshore claim was the most important issue facing New Zealand and he would not be cowed into silence by a bunch of activists or a rising tide of political correctness.

"It's about time we spoke out. We need rational debate. We don't need the likes of Tame Iti in this. Ken Mair is the bully boy cheerleader of the rent-a-mob brigade. This is too serious to allow these type of people in there."

Legislation was the only way to resolve the dispute, Mr Harrison said.

"The Government has to rule that this is Crown land and it belongs to all New Zealanders, irrespective of race. That is non negotiable. We have spent millions of dollars developing our marinas and foreshore areas. All of this belongs to all Marlburians.

"Any Government that interferes with the status that this is Crown land, they will never get in again. This has touched a nerve. I've had people calling me up from Hokitika, from Feilding saying 'This has to end'."

Mr Harrison insisted he was not launching an attack on Maori.

"I am simply saying what I am hearing. I'm speaking for the vast majority of New Zealanders. I'm saying what the people are saying in the living rooms and bars of this country."

He said while customary fishing rights should be recognised in the Marlborough Sounds, Maori should not have ownership of the seabed and should not receive compensation if legislation goes ahead.

Whatever happened, Mr Harrison vowed to stand strong on the issue.