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December 09, 2025
Shane Jones | on ETS, Regional Reform & Māori Investment Fund
Dale Husband
Posted On December 9, 2025
Download AudioRadio Waatea listeners – here’s a wrap of a recent interview with Minister Shane Jones, where he sets out his medium-term vision for regional development, Māori land investment, and major shifts in local government structure.
Māori land, carbon forestry and geothermal: a new pathway?
Minister Jones reiterated his government’s intention to unlock economic opportunities for Māori landowners, especially in carbon forestry and geothermal energy. Under his plans, whenua Māori may receive special treatment: exemptions from some of the more restrictive carbon-forestry rules being imposed elsewhere.
He also highlighted a $60 million commitment to “supercritical” geothermal energy – signalling hope for sustainable energy development that links directly to Māori communities.
Jones described these moves as practical tools to transform ancestral whenua into income-earning, future-proof assets, especially for rural Māori regions historically sidelined from mainstream economic growth.
Reshaping regional government – “green banshees” out, streamlined growth in
Perhaps the most controversial part of the interview: Jones defended the government’s plan to overhaul regional councils. He argued that councillors and bureaucratic hurdles – sometimes influenced by what he calls “green banshees” – have stifled growth and blocked development. He claims these structures make regional New Zealand less competitive.
Under the reforms, elected regional councillors would be replaced by mayor-led “Combined Territories Boards.” The government says this overhaul will cut red tape, speed up consents, and streamline infrastructure and development projects.
Proponents say this could lead to faster delivery of regional projects – from housing to water, energy to roads. Critics, however, warn this may reduce local democratic representation and sideline iwi, hapū, and community input on important decisions about land, environment, and resources.
Jones noted that the government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) has already committed hundreds of millions to regional projects nationwide – from water infrastructure to renewable energy, Māori-led ventures, and regional resilience work.
He pointed to the growing strength of Māori and iwi-led enterprises across regional New Zealand – even as national GDP growth stagnates. For many, he said, Māori-owned land, exports, and resource assets remain a backbone for economic activity.
For many Māori communities, especially in rural areas or with ancestral whenua, the plan could offer a pathway to sustainable economic opportunity – whether through forestry, geothermal energy, infrastructure investment, or regional jobs.
But the reforms also carry risks. The shift away from regional councils may reduce local iwi and hapū voice in decision making about land and environment. Reliance on carbon forestry – while financially attractive – has been criticised by environmental experts as placing “too many eggs in one basket,” especially given the risk of fire, storms or climate events.
Community engagement will be key. As Jones moves to implement his vision, whānau will need to stay alert – to ensure any development on whenua respects whakapapa, protects te taiao, and delivers benefits fairly.
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