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Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox says the party is open to changes in the Resource Management Act, but it will stand on its bottom lines of maintaining consultation with hapu and iwi and protecting the environment.
Environment Minister Nick Smith yesterday unveiled his proposed changes.
Attempts by the previous minister Amy Adams to reform the Act were stymied by opposition from the Maori Party and United Future.
Ms Fox says this time round the Government has the votes to get what it wants passed, but the Maori Party has been assured section 8 on consultation with Maori will remain.
"If sections 6 and 7 which essentialy looks at kaitiakitanga and the value of the environment, above the value of economic development, if that is weakened, then we would be very strong in our challenges with government that it does not happen," she says.
Marama Fox says she doesn’t accept Nick Smith’s arguement that the changes are necessary to relieve stress on the housing market, because 97 percent of RMA consent applications are granted.
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