November 09, 2016
Iwi leaders back RMA reform deal
The Freshwater Iwi Leaders Group says amendments to the Resource Management Act will enhance mechanisms for tangata whenua participation in the management of natural resources.
The Government has bowed to widespread opposition to its Resource Legislation Amendment Bill and made significant changes, including the new Mana Whakahono-a-Rohe agreements between iwi and councils.
The Maori Party will now support the bill, giving the Government enough votes fgor it to pass.
Iwi Leaders group deputy chair Sir Mark Solomon, Deputy Chair of the Iwi Leaders Group says it will create the opportunity for iwi and hapu to engage with councils in a more equitable way without having to write it into their treaty settlements.
He says Mana Whakahono-a-Rohe agreements will give both iwi and councils a shared understanding of each other’s expectations and roles in resource management.
He says the group collaborated closely with the Maori Party on the amendments.
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