Story: Kāwanatanga – Māori engagement with the state

Foreshore and seabed protest, 2004

In 2004 issues of kāwanatanga dominated New Zealand's political discourse. The Labour-led government passed legislation declaring that the country's foreshore and seabed were Crown-owned. Many, especially Māori, believed this legislation breached fundamental rights guaranteed under the Treaty of Waitangi. This television news clip shows the first stage of a protest march from Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) to Parliament in Wellington, and includes comments from political figures on both sides of the issue.

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How to cite this page:

Paul Meredith and Rawinia Higgins, 'Kāwanatanga – Māori engagement with the state - Sharing kāwanatanga', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/37452/foreshore-and-seabed-protest-2004 (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Paul Meredith and Rawinia Higgins, published 20 Jun 2012, updated 1 Aug 2016