January 23, 2015
RMA attack misplaced
Labour’s Tamaki Makaurau MP, Peeni Henare, says he has seen no evidence that making provision for the interests of mana whenua is adding cost to housing.
Environment Minister Nick Smith’s plan to overhaul the Resource Management Act has been welcomed by Auckland lobby group Democracy Action, who see it signalling the end of such measures as the cultural impact assessments in the Auckland Unitary Plan.
Mr Henare says Mr Smith wants people to believe his radical reform is the only way of relieving housing pressure.
He says the minister is looking in the wrong place.
"The intent around the input of mana whenua and the protection of wahi tapu and also our environment, is a well thought out piece in the RMA. What’s really holding things up is the administration of it. So why are we attacking the intent of it. Why aren’t we fixing up the administration at a local government level and also central government level" Mr Henare says.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH PEENI HENARE CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjU3MTk=
Copyright © 2015, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com