1. A court of law decided to send this issue to the Maori Land Court. The Government's response to that has been a knee-jerk one.

2. If the Government really had to intervene (which I question), the consultation process should not have been so hasty.

3. In many places, foreshore access has long been denied by private ownership, often foreign. This has been an issue for some time. I would like the government to address this publicly, instead of focusing on the issue as solely one to do with Maori rights.

4. The Government seems to be operating in a scaremongering and divisive way by portraying this as an issue of Maori against 'right-thinking' New Zealanders. I find this irrational, unconscionable and abhorrent.

5. I would like to see covenants of access and non-saleability negotiated for all lands adjoining the foreshore and seabed.

6. The principle of kaitiakitanga (Guardianship) should be paramount. Wahi tapu must be respected; and natural resources protected.

7. Strong feelings have been well and truly aroused in many sectors of the population as a result of this precipitate action. We now need to take our time to find a fair and durable solution. This could well take years. Please take whatever time is necessary. Do not act in haste.

8. This is an opportunity to resolve an issue that has been sleeping for a long time. With goodwill and time it must be possible to find a solution (or solutions) that will benefit New Zealanders as a whole. I include in this a solution to the areas where access is currently denied by private owners or government bodies.

Barbara Hammonds,
a 2nd and 3rd generation Pakeha New Zealander
30 September 2003

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