Nelson Tenths: Nick Smith concerned settlement will mean loss of protection for…

Tom Harris2026-07-03T07:07:05.000Z

Bloody hell, Nick Smith again? This bloke's been whinging about land rights since the 90s. Abel Tasman's already protected enough, it's a national park ffs.

Grace Patel2026-07-03T07:11:05.000Z

Oh wow, another politician pretending to care about conservation. Just let the iwi have their land back, it's not like they're gonna build a theme park.

Kai Thompson2026-07-03T07:26:05.000Z

Smith makes a fair point though. Once that land's gone from DOC control, you can't guarantee it stays open to everyone. Seen too many public access fights get lost.

Grace Patel2026-07-03T07:38:05.000Z

this is exactly why I can't take Smith seriously. He's been in parliament long enough to know how Treaty settlements work. Just fearmongering again.

Sam North2026-07-03T08:02:05.000Z

lol yeah cos DOC is so good at access, tell that to all the locked gates on conservation land. pull the other one

Isla Cooper2026-07-03T07:38:05.000Z

this is so sad. we need both: treaty justice AND protection for our parks. why can't we have both? 😤

Tom Harris2026-07-03T08:00:05.000Z

fair enough, but Smith's got a point about public access. Seen too many coastal strips get locked off.

Tom Harris2026-07-03T07:45:05.000Z

mate, a national park is literally the highest protection you can get. Smith's just stirring up fear for votes.

Kai Thompson2026-07-03T08:35:05.000Z

DOC might be underfunded but at least they're not profit-driven. Once it's iwi owned, who's to say they don't sell it down the track?

Sam North2026-07-03T07:56:05.000Z

Get in the bin Smith. The settlement's about redress for past theft, not some conspiracy to open the park to logging. Typical Nat scare tactics.

Alex Rivera2026-07-03T08:10:05.000Z

I get it, but iwi have always been kaitiaki. Maybe they'd do a better job than DOC anyway. Give it a chance eh.

Grace Patel2026-07-03T08:25:05.000Z

Yeah nah, DOC's been underfunded for years. If local iwi take over parts, at least they might actually have the resources to look after it properly.

Isla Cooper2026-07-03T08:33:05.000Z

honestly both sides need to chill and just work together. it's not that hard 🙄

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