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Auckland mayor Phil Goff isn’t expecting problems with changes to the Resource Management Act that will require councils to come to new agreements to consult with iwi and hapu on planning matters.
The Mana Whakahono-a-rohe agreements were the price of Maori Party support for the law.
Mr Goff says most councils are developing working relationships with iwi in their areas, and the law will prompt a few laggards to follow suit.
"I think it probably doesn't go as far as either the opponents claim or the Maori Party claims as the achievement it has made. I think it's probably a fairly modest measure that says talk to iwi early in the process. I don't think it will make too much difference, Good councils are probably already consulting early in the process with iwi and other groupsm in order to avoid litigation down the track," he says.
Mr Goff says if the law is abused there will be a public backlash to get it changed.
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