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National says ‘NO’ to effective RMA reform
National says ‘NO’ to effective RMA reform
Just hours after ACT and UnitedFuture offered the government a way out of the Māori Party’s chokehold, National has rushed into ill-advised and unpopular changes to the RMA.
“National backbenchers know how unpopular the proposed iwi consultation requirements are. Rural New Zealand is balking at the idea of unelected iwi groups dictating local plans.
“The Māori Party has always been more concerned with empowering iwi elites than actually reforming the RMA to get houses built.
“In contrast, the reforms proposed by ACT and UnitedFuture would have reduced bureaucracy, recognised private property rights, and prevented ministerial overreach. But most importantly for National, they would have been supported by the New Zealand public.
“Instead, National has turned their nose up at our offer and locked in its deal with the Māori Party. This sends a clear message to National supporters: National doesn’t have the spine to cut red tape and stand up to special interest groups. Only a stronger ACT can give them this spine.”
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