Maori Concerns
Maori participants express a range of views:
- When approached regarding discussion on the topic of walking access, Maori should not be placed under one blanket but be referred to in terms of iwi and hapu.
- Maori intend to retain their land and to guard their cultural values and heritage.
- Protection of the customary use of resources for future generations may require limiting access or letting the status quo remain. Resources are being exploited by immigrants.
- Maori say 'exclusivity' because of cultural difference, but it has been made a dirty word by other cultures, despite the opportunities that it offers Maori. Maori want to derive an income from their land and possession of access can be an asset, especially on land with many owners.
- There are large areas of land-locked Maori land that should be dealt with before Maori should be required to open up access. Maori are not able to access all of their own burial sites, or wahi tapu may be desecrated and exploited.
- Maori have also been locked out of access to customary fisheries, so it is difficult to exercise and sustain those customary fisheries having been denied that essential access.
- Some Maori land has a reserve and other private landowners have riparian rights, so it is not very equitable. In addition, most customary walkways have been amalgamated with private titles.
- Maori support the idea of a community (iwi or hapu) authorising rights of access. The community will protect its own rights and hold those rights and they must be made clear. Each case must be looked at on its own merits.
Contact for Enquiries
Rural Affairs Coordinator
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0675
Fax: +64 4 4 894 0745
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