2. RAHUI KATENE (Māori Party—Te Tai Tonga) Link to this
to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
What engagement or consultation was undertaken with tāngata whenua in preparing the Government’s submission to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, and what was the response from tāngata whenua on the proposal to extend New Zealand’s maritime boundaries?
Hon MURRAY McCULLY (Minister of Foreign Affairs) Link to this
I am advised that New Zealand’s submission to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in 2006 was a highly technical document presenting scientific data relating to the depth of sediment and geology of underlying rock on the seabed. Its purpose was to demonstrate how the legal definition of the continental shelf in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea applied to the specific geological features of the seabed beyond 200 miles from New Zealand. For that reason, no consultation with stakeholders occurred. Now that decisions have been made by the commission, the Government will ensure that the relevant Orders in Council are passed in the coming months. At that point, responsibility for administering the rights arising will pass to a range of domestic agencies. The Government would expect them to conduct appropriate stakeholder consultations at that time.
What consideration has been accorded to New Zealand’s compliance with Te Tiriti o Waitangi in negotiating maritime boundaries with countries with which New Zealand’s continental shelf overlaps, including Australia, Fiji, Tonga, and, potentially, France?
Hon MURRAY McCULLY Link to this
I am advised that officials have not yet commenced boundary negotiations with Fiji, Tonga, or, potentially, with France. However, a maritime boundary was successfully negotiated with Australia in 2004. Updates on that negotiation were included in the list of treaties under negotiation that is always placed on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website and circulated in hard-copy form to affected parties, including Māori groups, every 6 months. Information was also included in regular newsletters published by Land Information New Zealand. No matters were raised with officials by interested parties during the course of those negotiations with Australia.
What are the implications of the new extended continental shelf for the customary owners of the foreshore and seabed?
Hon MURRAY McCULLY Link to this
I am advised that the process I have described will not change customary rights to the foreshore and seabed.