March 03, 2013
RMA changes could hamper hapū
Māori Party co-leader Tariana Turia is concerned that changes to the Resource Management Act may limit the ability of hapū and iwi to protect their environment.
The government has released a white paper on how it wants to overhaul the 22-year old act.
Proposals include reducing the number of local government planning documents and giving central government a greater say in setting priorities.
It will also address what minister Amy Adams says is an ad hoc approach to Māori participation.
Mrs Turia says she would be concerned if the result is fast track development at the expense of the environment or community well being.
”We need to start making decisions around the impacts of these things in our environment, on our water ways and on the people. There isn’t that consideration. Sometimes you feel fed up to the back teeth with this attitude that anything is saleable and anything available for development,” she says.
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