David Garrett

ACT New Zealand Maori Affairs Spokesman David Garrett today accused Attorney-General Chris Finlayson of misleading Parliament, and the New Zealand public, about whether iwi will be allowed to charge for access to New Zealand beaches.

"In answering oral questions in Parliament this week, Mr Finlayson repeatedly refused to give a straight answer on whether iwi will be prohibited from charging kiwi families to access our nation's beaches," Mr Garrett said.

"In fact, it was only after coming under pressure from Speaker Lockwood Smith that the Attorney-General admitted that the propsed legislation does not prevent iwi from charging for beach access.

"Under clause 40 (b), the current legislation specifically prohibits Maori rights holders from being able to charge the public an access fee on areas that they control and states:

'Neither the guardians of a foreshore and seabed reserve nor the applicant nor the board is entitled to charge or collect fees or other form of payment from any person or body for the use of occupation of the reserve.'

"This clause has been specifically removed from National's proposed legislation.

"Mr Finlayson needs to come clean about what he plans for our beaches so that all New Zealanders - Maori and non-Maori - can have confidence and certainty.

"Mr Finlayson and the Government should front up and admit the a deal has clearly been done to give Maori greater power over our beaches. It's time National admitted that the proposed legislation will rob New Zealanders of their right to enjoy our most popular beaches," Mr Garrett said.