Federated Farmers has welcomed the Government’s decision to prevent existing and proposed Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements from transferring into New Zealand’s new resource management system, describing the move as an important step towards greater accountability and certainty for rural communities.
The announcement comes as the Environment Select Committee reported back on the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill, legislation that will replace the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) and fundamentally reshape how environmental planning and resource consents are managed across the country.
Alongside the committee’s recommendations, the Government confirmed that existing or initiated Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements will not carry over into the new planning framework.
Instead, councils will be able to negotiate more narrowly defined iwi participation agreements, supported by what the Government describes as clearer legislative safeguards.
Federated Farmers says it had urged the Government to stop what it described as a growing trend of councils rushing to sign Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements before the new planning laws come into effect.
The organisation argues the agreements had created uncertainty for landowners and farmers and raised questions about accountability within local decision-making processes.
Federated Farmers says relationship agreements between councils and iwi remain important but believes planning decisions that affect communities should continue to rest with democratically elected councils.
The farming organisation says the Government’s revised approach strikes a better balance between maintaining engagement with iwi while ensuring clearer governance arrangements.
Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements were introduced under amendments to the Resource Management Act in 2017.
They provide a statutory framework for councils and iwi authorities to work together on planning matters affecting whenua, wai and natural resources.
The agreements establish formal processes for engagement, information sharing, planning and dispute resolution but do not transfer decision-making powers from councils to iwi.
Supporters argue they strengthen relationships and improve planning outcomes by ensuring tangata whenua are involved early in environmental decision-making.
Critics, including Federated Farmers, have argued the agreements can create uncertainty and inconsistency in planning processes if not carefully implemented.
Under the Government’s revised legislation, existing Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements will cease when the new planning system comes into force.
In their place, councils will have the ability to enter into iwi participation agreements that are more limited in scope and operate within clearly defined legislative boundaries.
The Government says the new model is intended to preserve constructive relationships between councils and iwi while simplifying the planning system and providing greater certainty for landowners, developers and local authorities.
Federated Farmers has also welcomed indications the Government is considering changes relating to Waikato Regional Council’s Plan Change 1, which governs freshwater management across the Waikato and Waipā catchments.
The organisation has long argued farmers should not be required to implement a costly and complex freshwater planning regime while the wider resource management system is undergoing wholesale reform.
It says it will now examine the more than 500-page select committee report in detail before providing further comment on the proposed legislation.
The Government’s decision has already drawn strong criticism from Te Pāti Māori and environmental organisations, who argue removing Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements weakens practical expressions of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and reduces opportunities for meaningful partnership between councils and tangata whenua.
Environmental groups have also raised concerns that the broader RMA reforms place greater emphasis on economic development while reducing environmental safeguards and public participation.
The coalition Government maintains the reforms are designed to simplify planning laws, reduce delays, lower compliance costs and deliver more housing and infrastructure while continuing to recognise Māori interests through new participation mechanisms.
With the legislation now progressing to its second reading, debate is expected to intensify over how New Zealand balances environmental protection, private property rights, democratic accountability and the Crown’s relationship with Māori.
The replacement of the RMA remains one of the most significant legislative reforms before Parliament and is likely to be a major issue throughout the lead-up to the 2026 General Election.
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