A Māori rights lawyer is not buying the Government's explanation for a change to foreshore and seabed laws. 

It says amendments to the Marine and Coastal Areas Act restore the legislation to its original intent - an argument criticised by the Act's original author former Attorney General Chris Finlayson.  

It's expected to make getting Māori customary marine titles more difficult. 

Lawyer and former Waitangi Tribunal Registrar Tom Bennion told Ryan Bridge the Government's won't admit they're trying to eradicate coastal rights. 

He says people just about have to have been standing on the shore since 1840 with a taiaha telling everyone to go away - or they won't get anything. 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.