I totally support Andrew von Dadelszen`s column (13 Jan) in which he calls for greater transparency during settlement of the Tauranga Moana Treaty claims. A settlement of 150 million is being waived around (with probably about $50m in cash). I feel as citizens of New Zealand paying taxes we have a right to know exactly what this large sum of money is for, and as for the cash settlement, what are local Maori going to use it for?
There is also the grave question of what is exactly meant by 'co-governance of our harbour and waterways.”
In an interview with Radio NZ, the spokesman for the iwi claimants of the 90 Mile Beach explained that 'the National. Party had created a brand new right for them which had not existed anywhere in the world before”.
Many New Zealanders believe that the so-called 'customary title” had always existed. It is, in fact, a brand new right, written by the Attorney General, created especially to satisfy the demands of the Maori Party and those iwi who want private ownership of our coast!
Under the new Marine and Coastal Area Act, claimants will be negotiating their claims for the coast in secret with Chris Finlayson, with no public or judicial scrutiny of the negotiation process. Claimants could get their hands on lucrative coastal trade, tourist operations and a myriad of other business that operate in the marine and coastal environments. It is time we all demanded total transparency.

Mary Brooks, Avenues.