Hāpai Te Hauora is warning that proposed changes to the Government’s replacement resource management legislation could weaken Māori participation in decisions that have long-term impacts on the health and wellbeing of whānau.
The Māori public health organisation says planning decisions should be recognised as public health decisions, with consequences that extend well beyond land development. It argues that choices about housing, drinking water, transport, climate resilience and the natural environment directly influence the health outcomes of communities for generations.
Hāpai supports efforts to modernise and streamline Aotearoa’s planning system but says reforms should strengthen existing partnerships between iwi and local government rather than remove them.
Central to the organisation’s concerns is the proposed removal of Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements from the new planning framework. These agreements were introduced under the Resource Management Act to provide a formal mechanism for iwi and councils to work together on planning and resource management matters.
Hāpai says those agreements acknowledge that meaningful partnership and collaboration produce stronger environmental, social and community outcomes. The organisation argues that replacing them with a less robust participation model risks reversing years of progress in recognising Māori voices within planning processes.
The organisation says its position is guided by the principle of Oranga Whenua, Oranga Tangata — the understanding that the wellbeing of people is inseparable from the health of the whenua and wai. It says decisions affecting the environment ultimately influence the health, cultural wellbeing and resilience of Māori communities.
Hāpai also argues that planning decisions informed by mātauranga Māori and local knowledge are essential to addressing complex challenges including environmental protection, housing pressures and climate adaptation.
Another concern raised is the timing of the proposal. Hāpai says the change to remove Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements emerged after submissions on both the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill had already closed, meaning submitters were unable to respond directly to the proposal during the formal consultation process.
The organisation says significant legislative changes of this nature should be subject to transparent public consultation and provide Māori with a genuine opportunity to participate in decision-making.
Hāpai Te Hauora is now calling on the Government to ensure any replacement planning framework preserves meaningful partnership between iwi and local government, recognising that Māori must continue to play a genuine role in decisions affecting both the environment and the health of future generations.
The organisation says maintaining strong partnerships will be critical as Aotearoa responds to growing environmental, housing and public health challenges.
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