Environmentalist and community leader Reuben Taipari is raising the alarm over fast-tracked government amendments to the Marine and Coastal Areas (MACA) Act, fearing a repeat of past injustices and a loss of customary rights.
The MACA Amendment Bill is being discussed in detail in Parliament, after passing its second reading last week and moving closer to becoming law.
Taipari says it has been nearly impossible for people to keep up and voice their concerns.
“It’s been four days between the second and a third reading. All the pressure is in the parliamentary process to defend it, and we, as a people, we don’t even get a chance to wānanga and this is our culture as to wānanga and hui and to think about the ramifications of decisions for our for our children to come,” says Taipari.
He’s currently on a roadshow to Parliament, rallying support for an electronic petition that’s already gathered over 10,000 signatures in just two days.
“This is the issue we need to defend. It’s a tangible one. It’s about our moana, it’s about feeding our children. It’s about maintaining our connection to our culture. This is why I’m so passionate about our takutai moana and our waters,” says Taipari.
Supporters are encouraged to sign the petition online and follow updates through social media.
