The controversial Foreshore and Seabed Act has changed the New Zealand political landscape, but the Government is unlikely to repeal it in a hurry despite a report recommending this, a University of Otago lecturer says.
The 2004 Act led to the resignation of Tariana Turia from the Labour Party and became the catalyst for the formation of the Maori Party, which was now part of the National-led Government.
Paerau Warbrick, of Te Tumu School of Maori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies, said, "The Act has had a great effect not just for Maori but the whole of New Zealand.
"Maori people are still voting for Labour, but the important thing is they now have a choice."
Mr Warbrick said a repeal of the Act was unlikely to result in the continual support of the Maori Party for the National Party, as it had always expressed it was neither "of the Right nor the Left, but wanted what was best for Maori".
With the economy deep in recession, it was likely the Government would "shove [the report] to one side" until early next year, he said.
The Government has stated it would consider the advice of the ministerial review panel and would make an initial response about the end of August.
Edward Ellison, who filed a submission on behalf of Te Runanga o Otakou on April 20 in Bluff, said it was predictable the report would recommend the Act be repealed.
As part of his oral submission, Mr Ellison told the panel of the linkages "our people had with our moana areas, because we were a fishing people".
Mr Ellison said he had felt betrayed by the Labour-led government regarding the Act.
