April 24, 2013
Tomoana cries foul at water scheme process
The Ngati Kahungunu runanga is slamming the Hawkes Bay Regional Council for failing to consult on its controversial $230 million water storage scheme.
Chair Ngahiwi Tomoana says the iwi is a treaty partner, not just an interested party.
The runanga has asked the council to delay its application for resource consents for six months so formal consultation can happen.
Mr Tomoana says the council has asked other iwi including Ngai Tahu, Tainui and Tuwharetoa for expressions of interest to invest in the scheme, but not Ngati Kahungunu.
Council general manager, Liz Lambert, says discussions had been held at marae and hapu level over the past four years and it had also been discussed by the council’s regional planning committee, which included appointees from claimant groups.