4 Nov 2011

Maori Party may revisit Marine and Coastal Area Act

6:33 am on 4 November 2011

Tai Tonga MP Rahui Katene says the Maori Party will revisit the Marine and Coastal Area Act, if iwi are not happy with it.

The Act, which became law at the end of March, reinstated the right for iwi to go to court and test their customary rights, which the previous Foreshore and Seabed Act took away.

Many tribes, such as Ngai Tahu opposed the change, which resulted in some iwi withdrawing their support for the Maori Party, which backed the amendment.

But Mrs Katene says even though the act has been law for seven months, it's not the end of the discussion.

She says she's interested to see how iwi take to the changes and if they are not satisfied, the Maori Party will work with them to find a way forward.