Claim: Maori groups with a customary marine title  can block beach access and prevent fishing by declaring an area a sacred site or making a "stay away" order.
Fact-check: Claim about Maori's customary marine title powers misleads
Verdict: misleading. groups cannot just declare a sacred site area, they must apply through the courts or negotiate with the government and meet certain criteria, while "stay away" orders are unrelated to cmts.
Organisation: Australian Associated Press
Author: Soofia Tariq
Date published: 2024-10-01T00:00:00