August 05, 2022
Iwi leaders push resource co-governance
An iwi leader says there’s a prospect of real progress on water and resource management reform if the Government is serious about co-governance.
Ministers are in Ruatoria today for what’s the first fact to face Iwi Chairs Forum in more than a year.
Te Rarawa chair Haami Piripi says a high level of unanimity at yesterday’s opening session, and forum members are bringing a high level of skills and experience to the table.
He says there was support for the three waters reform, but iwi also wants their rights and interests in water defined as part of the process.
“It’s the same with the reform of the RMA. We’re happy with some of the principles but unless we are built into the co-governance aspects we are not going to be able to realise our interests, and that is something we are working hard on. The Government are already heading in the right direction on many of these issues,” Mr Priripi says.