Te Ururoa Flavell MP for Waiariki www.waiariki.maori.nz

The Waitangi Tribunal released its long-awaited report on the Stage Two Post-1886 Tauranga Moana claims on September 4 at Hairini Marae, Tauranga.

This report has taken four years to complete and iwi and hapu are to review the tribunal's findings.

All three Tauranga Moana iwi, Ngai Te Rangi, Ngati Ranginui and Ngati Pukenga are unanimous in their views that not only did the raupatu actions of the Crown impact upon our people, but a significant number of post-raupatu activities including public works land appropriations and environmental impacts also severely disadvantaged our hapu communities. Hapu claimants will be expecting these issues to be reflected in the report I am sure.

The Stage 2 Report is released at a time when all three tribes are entering into negotiations with the Crown. It is anticipated the report's findings will influence future negotiations.

However, the timing is bittersweet because just two days before the official release, the most passionate Tauranga claimant to the Waitangi Tribunal, Toahaere Faulkner, was farewelled by his whanau at Whareroa Marae. Toahaere was well known throughout the country for his stance on rates with Maori land, and his unrelenting commitment to questioning Crown authority over Maori land. Moe mai e koro.

The other matter of significance recently has been the debate on the new Foreshore and Seabed Bill. I will provide a dedicated article on this in the future but as a brief overview, the bill corrects a major injustice by repealing the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004 and restores mana whenua access to the High Court to seek formal recognition of their mana and tikanga. As an alternative to the High Court, the bill allows for iwi to negotiate directly with the Crown.

The bill ensures our country's beaches will not be sold to foreign investors and ensures public access which has never been denied by Maori – as some stirrers would have you believe.

The concern raised by some in Tauranga that there is a requirement for continuous title to contiguous land, but this is a factor in the bill rather than a requirement (as under the 2004 Act) and at this stage, it is impossible to predict the outcome of a court or negotiation process and foresee how many groups will receive customary marine title.

In a major change, the bill presumes that tangata whenua maintain customary interests unless the Crown proves they have been extinguished.

In summary, while the bill does not give the Maori Party everything we were after, having had input from the Iwi Leaders Group, it is the best we could get to with the National Party. I am comfortable with it as we head out soon to hear what the country has to say.

Keep an eye out for panui about the Select Committee hearings coming your way in the next few months. Kati ake mo teneiwa. Noho ora mai.

I welcome your feedback: email pwaiariki@parliament.govt.nz, phone 07 350 3261, PO Box 12028 Rotorua 3045.