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The Government is establishing a new group to engage with Māori on freshwater policy.
Environment Minister David Parker met the Iwi Chairs Forum and invited them to nominate members with in-depth experience in water and land issues to be part of Kahui Wai Māori – the Māori Freshwater Forum.
He says freshwater is a taonga of huge significance for Māori and all New Zealanders.
He says the Government wants to see a material improvement in water quality within five years, and part of that will include wider engagement with Māori.
Mr Parker says part of the challenge to protecting water quality is reducing nutrient pollution in some catchments.
That must be achieved fairly between existing investment and under-developed land, much of which is in Māori hands.
The creation of the forum, which will also include nominees from other Māori leadership groups, offers an alternative to the current situation in which the Iwi Chairs Forum is preparing to take the battle over water rights back to court.
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