Labour leader Andrew Little is disappointed the Auckland council has voted against enhanced protection for Maori sites in the Unitary Plan.
The council yesterday voted 12-6 against reinstating an overlay on the plan so developers would know where more than 2000 sites of significance to mana whenua were located.
The Independent Hearing Panel recommended dropping the overlay, but council officials had advised it should stay in.
Mr Little says the final outcome was surprising, and seems to show a lack of respect for local Maori.
" Auckland city has been many many years in the making even before the Europeans arrived here. I don't think it's beyond our powers in this day and age to make the effort to ensure that parts of the city, land in the city that is of significance to Maori, to tangata whenua, is recognised and respected," Mr Little says.
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