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Thousands of Maori have walked from the top of the North Island to Wellington, on its southern tip, in protest against government plans to nationalise the coastline

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The marchers, who have been walking for the last two weeks, say the coastline belongs to them

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The conflict has its roots in the British colonisation of New Zealand in the 19th century

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Indeed, its first European explorer, Dutchman Abel Tasman, was put off from staying longer when several of his crew were killed and allegedly eaten

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Maori say the land bill contravenes the Treaty of Waitingi, under which the British Crown guaranteed them rights to land

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The row has politically threatened New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, whose majority in parliament is dependant on two Maori MPs