Media Statement
Te Ururoa Flavell
MP for Waiariki
Wednesday 12 September 2012
Maori Party Opposed to 'Minimised Role' For Tangata Whenua In Land Transport Management Bill
The Māori Party’s position on the Land Transport Management Amendment Bill, which passed its first reading on Tuesday
night was clarified today by Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell.
“We want to see robust planning and consultation processes that build on the status quo not diminish it” said Flavell.
“Tangata whenua must have an equitable voice in the process of decision-making when those decisions systematically
affect the responsibilities and obligations of mana whenua to exercise kaitiakitanga – the duties of guardianship”.
“The Māori Party opposes the Land Transport Management Amendment Bill in its current form, insofar as it minimises the
role tangata whenua have in the decision-making process through regional transport plans and consultation requirements.
“You can’t have ‘land transport’ without land, and you can’t have good ‘land transport management’ without the right
people”.
“Tangata whenua and mana whenua throughout New Zealand are most certainly the right people to be involving when informed
decisions need to be made, at the regional level, about how certain of areas of land within that region should be used.
Meaningful planning and consultation processes will lead to decisions which are more effective, more durable, and more
sustainable.
The government’s agenda of streamlining processes for an ‘effective, efficient and safe land transport system that supports the public interest’ is about fast-tracked decisions not better ones, and minimum input for maximum output.
It’s a step in the wrong direction and we will not support it.
ENDS