Regional Development Minister Shane Jones has criticised Te Kawerau a Maki leaders and their co-governance plan for the Waitākere Ranges.
The Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Act, updated in 2023, sets out how Auckland Council, the Crown, Ngāti Whātua and Te Kawerau a Maki share management of the park, including iwi board representation.
He says New Zealand First campaigned to stop co-governance and was elected to do so.
“Do you expect Winston and I to limply sit by and allow this to be implemented and driven by two Labour Party apparatchiks who sit on the Supercity Council?” says Jones.
Jones says Kauri dieback in the ranges is not a Māori or Pākehā issue — and claims Te Kawerau a Māki are being used to push Labour’s agenda.
