May 15, 2023
Iwi need lead role in Tairawhiti clean up
The chair of the ministerial inquiry looking at the contribution of forestry waste to the damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle says first priority needs to be the creation of a woody debris taskforce to clean up activities both Wairoa and Tairawhiti.
Former National cabinet minister Hekia Parata says the forestry industry has lost its social licence because of its poor practices.
She says Tairawhiti one of the most complex geological parts of the country, and it will need a concerted effort involving not just Gisborne District Council and industry but leadership by mana whenua to turn the region away from environmental disaster.
“Ngati Porou, Aitanga A Mahaaki and Ngaitamanuhiri have already done full risk assessments of their waterways and catchments so now we really need strong investment both in funding and skills and we are very pleased to hear the Government is making that,” Ms Parata says.
She says reforms to the Resource Management Act and the Spatial Planning Act should provide a framework for iwi to take a more prominent role in future land management.