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.

For those following the long-running shambles to do with tribal claims for the coast, Friday is the deadline for submissions on the Nga Rohe Moana o Nga Hapu o Ngati Porou Bill (No. 2), which gives effect to a deed of agreement between Ngati Porou and the Crown for around 200 km of the East Coast coastline north of Gisborne.