Thousands of people marched Wednesday in the New Zealand capital, Wellington, to protest against the government's policy on ownership of the country's foreshore and seabed.

March organizer Pita Sharples led 50 Maori warriors who performed a haka at the head of the march.

More than 100 banners, mainly carrying anti-foreshore and seabed policy messages, could be seen as the march set off from the national museum Te Papa.

The protesters reached the gates of Parliament just after midday. The organizers hoped to assemble in front of Parliament buildings and make formal presentations and welcomes, before speakers, performers and musicians began their protest.

However, Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen described those marching against the government's foreshore and seabed legislationas "mistaken".

He said in a statement Tuesday that some Maori seemed to believe that they legally owned the foreshore and seabed.

The Court of Appeal had never said that and Parliament and a majority of New Zealanders had never envisaged it either.

It was impossible to build a full consensus on the issue and the Government had to act to end uncertainty, he said.

Cullen said the legislation, which will vote in the Parliament on Thursday, would allow some recognition of customary rights and was fair and supported by the majority of New Zealanders.

Prime Minister Helen Clark's Labor government is under pressurefrom Maori and voters to resolve the issue which is the subject ofa bill that would make the foreshore and seabed public property while Maori claim customary ownership.

The government narrowly survived a no-confidence vote on Tuesday and Labor has already lost one Maori MP over the issue.

The Maori MP Tariana Turia has resigned and the second Maori MPNanaia Mahuta is considering leaving the Labor Party. Both of themsay they cannot support a government bill that puts the foreshore and seabed into the Crown ownership.

If Mahuta joins her colleague and resigns, the Labor government will lose its majority in Parliament which will force it to do deals with smaller parties like the Greens or New Zealand First.

Some commentators believe the issue could force Labor to an early election.

Source: Xinhua