Two hundred iwi and hapū claimants seeking customary rights to their foreshore and seabed are studying a precedent-setting High Court ruling.
The ruling grants six hapū of Whakatōhea in Bay of Plenty protected customary rights and marine title under the Takutai Moana legislation, which replaced the controversial Foreshore and Seabed Act.
It offers two types of rights to iwi and hapū who can prove they have exclusively used and occupied the foreshore and seabed since 1840.
Protected customary rights allow for such things as launching a waka or collecting hangi stones.
One of the lawyers in the Whakatōhea claim, Natalie Coates, explained to Meriana Johnsen what customary marine title allows hapū and iwi to do.
