Push for moratorium on changes to Cooks land law
A group of traditional chiefs in the Cook Islands is calling for the government to put a moratorium on proposed changes to land occupation rights until landowners are consulted and issues are resolved.
Transcript
A group of traditional chiefs in the Cook Islands is calling for the government to put a moratorium on proposed changes to land occupation rights until landowners are consulted and issues are resolved.
Last month, a draft practice note written by the country's law society and judges, which outlined proposed changes to the law, was made public in error.
The Koutu Nui president, Terea Mataiapo Paul Allsworth, says the changes could mean occupation rights are no longer granted in perpetuity but for just 60 years.
Terea Mataiapo says he has been in talks with the government about his concerns.
PAUL ALLSWORTH: We had meeting last week with the minister of justice and lands, the honorable Nandi Glassie. It was a very good meeting. The minister concluded that he wasn't all too clear with the interpretations of the practice note and he requested that on his return from overseas that we sit down and have another meeting.
MARY BAINES: So can you tell us what your main concerns are with the practice note?
PA: Yes there are a few issues with the practice note. But I think in summary we asked the minister to consider the possibility of putting in place a moratorium on the practice note until such time all these issues are resolved with the three vakas and the landowners on Rarotonga. Basically the major issues are the introduction of a term of 60 years for occupation right when before there was no term. The other one was using the occupation right for commercial purposes apparently there is a ban on that. The other issue was the question of ownership after the cessation of 60 years. The minister was sympathetic to our meeting and he did accept that on his return we will meet on the 9th of November. There should be some consultation with the landowners. And in this case, as a result of the disclosure of the practice note, there has been no consultation whatsoever. And that's why we have taken this to the three vaka meetings on Rarotonga. And the result is we have got unanimous opposition, very strong opposition to the practice note.
MB: So tell me about that opposition, the majority of people are really against it.
PA: Yes. We have had a meeting in the vaka Puaikura, Takitumu and Te Au O Tonga. And I would estimate at those meetings there would be about 250 to 300 people, the last meeting we had definitely hitting 500 people - the meeting house was packed both inside and out. And I did not hear any voice of support for the practice note. So on that basis, everyone agreed that we go forward and they've elected representatives from each of the three vakas, and I've had a meeting with the minister. The next step forward is to meet with the minister on the 9th of November and provide him with some written recommendations.
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