Labour Should Recommit to Abolishing 'Taniwha Tax'

9 September 2014

Responding to Sir Bob Jones’ New Zealand Herald commentary about Auckland Council requiring 'cultural impact assessments’ as part of resource consent applications under the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan (PAUP), Taxpayers’ UnionExecutive Director says:

“Labour's then Maori Affairs spokesman Shane Jones slammed these provisions, calling them 'dangerous and an extra compliance cost'. We're calling on the Labour Party to confirm that it is still committed to getting rid of them.”

"Cultural impact assessments mean that property owners require iwi approval to work on sites of cultural and heritage value to Maori. They amount to a taniwha tax on Auckland property."

“As if navigating the Resource Management Act was not difficult enough, Auckland Council is now forcing property owners to get assessments from 13 iwi groups on whether spiritual values will be affected by things as basic as restoring a window. It is an outrageous affront to democracy and property rights.”

“Forget the 'one law for all’ rhetoric by Colin Craig, Winston Peters and Jamie Whyte - this is an issue that National has been stunningly slight on, even after Labour's clear cut rejection. We’re calling all parties to commit to repealing the law that creates a temptation for iwi to get drawn into the corruption of a taniwha tax.”

ENDS

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