Under the Marine and Coastal Area Bill every New Zealander is guaranteed the right of free public access to marine and coastal areas, said Attorney General Chris Finlayson in a press release.
If iwi can prove continuous use and occupation by Maori of the coastline since 1840, the new legislation will grant them customary title of the section of coastline they are claiming.
The Government is refusing to answer directly as to whether Maori will be prohibited from charging New Zealanders a fee to access the beaches, said David Garrett, ACT Party Maori Affairs spokesman in a press release.
The public is being misled, he said. Under the Government's new proposals Maori could charge for access to beaches if they get customary title.
There is no clause in the bill to make it an offence to charge for access, says Mr Garrett.
The Foreshore and Seabed Act prohibits Maori from charging a fee for areas under their control.
“This clause has been removed from National's proposed legislation,” said Mr Garrett.
The Minister “needs to come clean” and tell New Zealanders what they are planning to do with our beaches.
Mr Finlayson told Parliament last Thursday that the provisions in the bill make it “impossible for iwi (Maori people) or hapu (tribe) to charge” a fee.
But under further questioning, he admitted that it could be considered an offence if Maori were to do so.
“It depends on the circumstances and whether the regulations are made (to that effect),” replied the Minister.
