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Federated Farmers want to reduce opportunities for iwi participation in any revamped resource management legislation.
The group yesterday told the select committee considering the Resource Legislation Amendment Bill that what the government is proposing will reduce the opportunity for public input, reduce opportunity for local decision making, and increase process costs.
Spokesperson Chris Allen said while is appropriate for consultation to take place with iwi prior to notification of a policy statement or plan, that should be extended anyone who is directly affected by proposed planning changes.
He said Federated Farmers is resistant to the RMA being used as a tool for treaty settlements, and it received an undertaking from the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations six years ago that the government would not go down this route.
The organisation also objected to provisions allowing ministers to intervene, saying they are inconsistent with the Bill’s collaborative processes.
There need to be checks and balances to prevent a future Minister from following his or her own agenda with little regard to the community’s ability to absorb these measures.
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