November 27, 2015
Freshwater Iwi Leaders welcome RMA reform
The Freshwater Iwi Leaders Group has welcomed the new Resource Legislation Amendment Bill.
The bill will be introduced to parliament now the Maori Party has dropped its opposition to a major overhaul of the Resource Management Act after being assured the principle of protecting natural resources will remain.
Freshwater Iwi Leaders Group spokesperson Rahui Papa says the bill is a positive first step in improving Maori participation in resource management processes.
He says iwi leaders have been engaged with the crown’s freshwater reform process since 2009, and the RMA amendments have an important relationship with that wider reform process.
They have also worked closely with the Maori Party over the last two years to progress the issue of iwi and hapu rights and interests in this area.
Mr Papa says the group will continue to work with the Crown to help develop an improved baseline model for iwi participation in these processes, which will benefit iwi and hapu, local authorities, consent holders and, ultimately, all New Zealanders.
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