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Download AudioMāori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi says Māori don’t trust councils when it comes to making decisions on their land.
There’s a protest today in Kaikohe against the way the Far North District Council is incorporating protection of significant natural areas into is district plan, a move that will block many Māori landowners from developing their land if it has native bush or animals.
Mr Waititi says Māori already have ways to protect significant areas.
"Councils are the biggest land confiscators across the motu. Look at all the reserves, and SNAs will be another tool they use to lock our people out of their whenua. For Māori these days, we are very wary about every bit of legislation that affects the use of our land," he says.
Rawiri Waititi says he met last week with hapū in Taitokerau concerned at the SNA policy, and the Māori Party backs today’s protest.
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