November 09, 2016
Maori Party deal allows RMA reform
The Government has cut a deal with the Maori Party to advance its rewrite of the Resource Management Act.
Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith say the Government now has the support it needs to put changes into law, including streamlined planning process to improve responsiveness, discretion for councils to exempt an activity from consents, and new requirements for councils to free up land for housing.
The cost of support is improved iwi participation through formalising the arrangements many councils already have toget Maori input in resource management.
The bill will be re-referred back to the select committee tomorrow.
Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says the new Mana Whakahono a Rohe agreement process and other changes will strengthen kaitiakitanga for iwi and the protection of the environment while balancing the nation’s economic needs.
ACT leader David Seymour says the bill is a significant back down on the reforms announced by former minister Amy Adams and it creates new layers of unelected race-based bureaucracy.
Labour environment spokesperson David Parker says the Maori Party is agreeing to changes that will undermine the environment and confer outrageous regulation making powers on the minister to overrule councils.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com