May 04, 2020
Maori views considered in RMA fast tracking
Crown Māori Relations Minister Kelvin Davis is confident Māori rights won’t be swept aside in changes to the Resource Management Act to fast-track shovel-ready infrastructure projects.
Under proposals from Environment Minister David Parker that could become law next month, consents for housing, transport and environmental projects will be heard by a panel headed by an Environment Court judge rather than by councils.
Mr Davis says the proposals are being discussed by Cabinet today, and he will also canvass them with representatives of the Iwi Chairs Forum.
"We want to make sure those shovel ready projects can create employment, we get people into work we get people earning, and everything has to be balanced up in this," he says.
Any consents will still need to comply with regional plans and environmental protections.
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