Māori Party looks forward to ongoing negotiations on RMA reforms

3 December 2015

With the support of the Māori Party, the Government will pass the First Reading of the Resource Legislation Amendment Bill today.

The proposed reforms of the Resource Management Act are designed to support business growth and housing development while ensuring more effective environmental management.

The Māori Party has been resolute in maintaining the purpose of the Act as well as the core environmental principles in sections six and seven Part II of the Resource Management Act.

“These underlying environmental values in the RMA are fundamental. We will remain vigilant throughout the progress of this Bill to ensure that the principle of environmental protection remains paramount,” says Māori Party Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell.

Marama Fox says the negotiations with the Government and the Iwi Leaders Technical Advisory Group over the last nine months have helped shore up the Māori Party’s support.

“We’re happy with progress we’ve made to date including the provisions for better engagement between iwi and all local councils,” she says.

“As manawhenua and kaitiaki of natural resources in their local regions, hapū and iwi have a vital role to play in keeping the balance between the protection and development of the environment.”

The Bill will require all local authorities around the country to enter into iwi partnership agreements.

“These new provisions will have iwi involved at the front-end of the planning process rather than reacting at the end. They will not override existing arrangements as outline in Treaty settlements or iwi management plans,” says Mrs Fox.

Mr Flavell says the Māori Party has worked in good faith and constructively with all parties on the RMA reforms.

ends

© Scoop Media