Smith Nick: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Smith Nick: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:610;Page:7646] 
5.  
Hon Dr NICK SMITH (NZ National—Nelson) 
 to the  
Associate Minister for Courts 
: How many applications for title to the foreshore and seabed are before the Maori Land Court and what is the total length of coastline being sought? 
Hon RICK BARKER (Minister for Courts) 
 on behalf of the 
 Associate Minister for Courts 
: I am advised that there are 35 applications for foreshore and seabed before the Maori Land Court. It has not been possible in the time available to determine the total length of the coastline that those applications relate to. I will provide that information to the member as soon as it becomes available. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: Noting that the number of claims has increased from 19 to 34 in just 4 days will this Minister give a categorical assurance to the House that those claims will not result in the issuing of exclusive title to the foreshore or seabed; if so does he agree that the claimants are wasting their time by claiming such exclusive title? 
Hon RICK BARKER 
: In response to the three questions I firstly make the point that there is no mystery in the change at all. The original question asked by Dr Nick Smith related to the number of claims that have been lodged by the registry since 19 June 2003. The subsequent question was about all claims which includes claims that had been lodged before that. There is no spooking about this at all. Secondly I am not going to make any comment on the nature of the claims. People have a right to lodge a claim before any court in this country on any matter they deem fit. They do not have a right to get the decision they wish. 
Tim Barnett 
: Is the Minister concerned at the number of applications for foreshore and seabed that are before the Maori Land Court? 
Hon RICK BARKER 
: No I do not have any concerns about the number of claims. This Government upholds the right of all New Zealanders to have access to justice and have their disputes resolved before the appropriate court. 
Stephen Franks 
: In the light of the answer to the last question when the Prime Minister bluntly told Maori that the Government would not satisfy claims upheld for oil and gas and a month or so later said much the same thing on the seabed and foreshore issue but has since started to fudge on the second issue only why the difference; and will the Minister repeat the Attorney-General’s assurance that there will not be privilege created over seabed and foreshore based on ethnic inheritance? 
Hon RICK BARKER 
: On the comments of the Prime Minister I suggest that the member direct those questions to the Prime Minister. I repeat for his information that the Prime Minister answered yesterday that this is a complex issue and the Government’s views will be put out for consultation very shortly. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: Can the Minister advise the House as to what there is to stop the Maori Land Court in any one of those 34 claims from issuing exclusive title; if he is not able to advise us as to there being anything to stop that how can the Government continue to guarantee public access to all those areas? 
Hon RICK BARKER 
: The answer to that is very clear. Yesterday the Prime Minister outlined to Parliament that the Government will be putting forward its proposals very shortly in a comprehensive document and the proposals will be resolved. The member can rest assured about that. I suggest he takes a little time and waits. All will be revealed.