This Act aims to protect the interests of all New Zealanders in the marine and coastal area. You will have a scheme that ensures this protection is long-lasting. The Act also recognises the importance of iwi, hapū, and whānau as tangata whenua in this area. The Act has several goals, including providing for the exercise of customary interests in the marine and coastal area. It also acknowledges the Treaty of Waitangi (te Tiriti o Waitangi). You can think of customary interests as the traditional rights and practices of iwi, hapū, and whānau in the marine and coastal area. This Act repeals the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004, which you can read about here. It restores customary interests that were extinguished by that Act. The Act contributes to the continuing exercise of mana tuku iho, which refers to the traditional authority and control of iwi, hapū, and whānau in the marine and coastal area. The Act gives legal expression to customary interests and recognises and protects existing lawful rights and uses in the marine and coastal area. It also recognises the importance of the common marine and coastal area for its own worth and for the benefit of the public. This includes protecting public rights of access, navigation, and fishing. The Act is designed to balance the different interests in the marine and coastal area. You can expect it to provide a framework for managing this area in a way that respects the rights and interests of all New Zealanders. This includes iwi, hapū, and whānau as tangata whenua, as well as the general public.