The Ngati Porou coastal area bill, which passed its third reading this week, gives a clear picture of how the entire marine and coastal area of New Zealand is likely to be governed after the 600 or so current claims are either rubber stamped by the Minister or wind their way through the High Court.

The bill, which gives the tribe $15.3 million to enable Ngati Porou to exercise their rights and obligations, provides a framework for customary rights recognition for Ngati Porou subgroups in relation to the coastal and marine areas defined in the above map. Time in jail or a massive fine is specified for anyone who does anything in a tribal area without permission.

Many readers live near, walk on, or take the dog for a run on a beach, go surfing, surfcasting, or fishing from a boat, or swim in the sea. This is evidence that you have enjoyed uninterrupted access to the marine and coastal area.

The 150 coastal claims notified over the past week shows that the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011 has come back to bite the National Government a few months out from an election, Hobson’s Pledge spokesperson Casey Costello said today.