Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has told iwi leaders they will be consulted when local government areas are reorganised.
The minister met the Iwi Chairs Forum in Whakarewarewa last week to outline his Better Local Services reforms package.
He says the reforms will preserve existing settlement arrangements, such as those allowing co-management of the Rotorua Lakes and Waikato River
They will also make it easier for councils to set up council controlled organisations delivering shared services for across a region for functions such as water and transport.
Meanwhile, the Masterton District Council has voted to put representatives from the two Wairarapa iwi, Kahungunu ki Wairarapa and Rangitane o Wairarapa, on toi its policy and finance and audit and risk committees with full speaking and voting rights.
The representatives will also be able to speak at the full council meetings where committee recommendations are ratified.
PJ Devonshire, the manager of Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, says it’s a courageous call which will give the council valuable Maori input in areas important for the region’s development such as the environment, tourism, education and economic growth.
Kahungunu ki Wairarapa signed an agreement in principle on Saturday for a $93 million settlement of its treaty claims, which will will require it to work more closely with the council.
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