December 15, 2015
Flavell rejects RMA criticism
Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell is rejecting suggestions his lawmaking is making it harder for Maori to have a say in the planning process.
Tamaki Makaurau MP Peeni Henare argues the watering down of Maori provisions in Auckland’s proposed unitary plan combined with amendments to the Resource Management Act agreed to by the Maori Party put Maori in the super city in a weaker position.
Mr Flavell says he’s wrong, as the changes mean iwi must be consulted at the highest level.
"Maori are sick and tired of having to wait until after all the consultation has gone through before they realise 'Oh, I should have gone back and spoken with Maori.' Now we've said you must consult at the front end, and if that happens then probably litigation may well still happen but it is about giving the heads up to our people before those developments advance," he says.
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