1 Nov 2010

Party unity not threatened over coastal bill - Sharples

4:10 pm on 1 November 2010

Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples says party unity is not threatened by divisions over the Marine and Coastal Areas Bill.

Hone Harawira MP says the legislation should be opposed, but co-leader Tariana Turia told an annual meeting at the weekend that she believed most Maori wanted the party to support the bill.

Radio New Zealand's political editor says it was clear that no one at the meeting at Omahu marae, near Hastings, believed the bill would resolve all their complaints about the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004.

But Mrs Turia says the Foreshore and Seabed Act would be left in place if the party did not vote for the bill.

Mr Harawira says the bill makes little change and should therefore be opposed.

A final position will not be decided until all submissions on the bill have been heard.