This bill was never just about the Māori Party; it started with the leadership of the eight iwi who took an application to the Maori Land Court at the top of the South Island",[13] referring to the Ngati Apa case.
[16] Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei opposed the legislation and argued that it represented just "how much of a failure the Maori Party-National negotiations have been over trying to resolve the inherent injustices that were put in place by New Zealand First and Labour in 2004.
Goldsmith announce that the Government would amend section 58 of the Act to require marine title claimants to prove they had continual exclusive use and ownership of the area since 1840.
[22][23] In late August 2024, the Waitangi Tribunal commenced an urgent inquiry into the Government's plans to change the law to tighten the threshold for Māori customary marine title claims.
The hearing was heard by Maori Land Court Judge Miharo Armstrong along with Tribunal members Ron Crosby and Pou Temara.
[11] On the second day, the Tribunal heard testimony from Te Arawhiti (Office for Māori Crown Relations) deputy secretary Tui Marsh, who had attended the 21 May meeting between cabinet ministers and seafood industry representatives.