Changes to Marine and Coastal Area Act pass first reading

A bill unwinding changes that made it easier for iwi to be granted customary marine title has passed its first reading in Parliament.

Amendments to the Marine and Coastal Area Act will now go to the justice select committee for consultation.

Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith, who is responsible for the bill, said the government intends to pass the legislation before the end of the year.

A high test for customary title was set in 2011 by the then-National government.

However, the previous Labour government eased the threshold after a decision by the Court of Appeal last year.

Goldsmith said that decision changed the nature of the test and materially reduced the threshold.