Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Māori Party supports Resource Legislation Bill progressing


Māori Party gives their support for the Resource Legislation Amendment Bill to go to Select Committee

26 November 2015

The Māori Party will support the First Reading of the Government’s Resource Legislation Amendment Bill, on the condition that negotiations continue.

“One of the key priorities for us has always been the retention of sections six and seven of the Resource Management Act (RMA) which ensures that environmental protection remains paramount. Given those core principles remain in the RMA and there is a commitment to ongoing discussions, we are happy for the Bill to go into the House for further consideration,” says Māori Party Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell.

Mr Flavell says, “Kaitiakitanga or the protection and enhancement of our environment must remain central to the RMA. We will remain vigilant during the progress of the Bill to ensure it remains so.”

Māori Party Co-leader Marama Fox says while the Māori Party made it plain back in 2013 it would not compromise on sections six and seven of the RMA, it has worked intensively with the Government over the last nine months to reach this position.

“Our objective through this process is to ensure we have resource law that properly protects natural resources, that recognises the kaitiaki role of iwi, and which supports an increase in the supply of affordable housing.”

She says the Māori Party recognises the importance of simplifying and speeding up the consent process to increase the supply of affordable houses for all whānau.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“As we stated earlier this year, we support most of the procedural changes which will reduce unnecessary red tape around the planning and consent processes,” says Mrs Fox.

The Bill will also help papakāinga housing to be developed. This will complementthe reform of Te Ture Whenua Māori Act which promotes the use of Māori land including for housing initiatives.

The Māori Party has sought advice from RMA practitioners on the workability of the Bill and worked with Iwi Leaders’ Group to negotiate changes to the proposed Bill.

The Māori Party has opposed proposals for the establishment of alternative consenting authorities. It has also successfully advocated for provisions that will require councils to engage with iwi on how to better include them in resource management.

“Iwi Participation Agreements will require councils to engage with iwi during their planning processes to ensure they are involved in resource management decisions at the front end,” says Mrs Fox.

Mr Flavell says the Māori Party will be listening carefully to public submissions at the select committee stage. It is particularly keen to hear expert views on the technical aspects of the Bill.

“This is a complex Bill. We will continue to work constructively with RMA practitioners, Iwi Leaders’ Group and the Government on this important reform.”

ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.