RATEPAYERS URGE COUNCIL TO DITCH PLANNING RULES COVERING THE METAPHYSICAL

9 NOVEMBER 2015

The Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance is hoping Thursday’s vote to reduce the number of ’sites of value’ to local iwi in the Unitary Plan is a sign of more to come. The sites, which are part of the Unitary Plan’s “Mana Whenua” provisions require property owners to check with sometimes more than 13 iwi groups to verify that their resource consent application does not require a ‘cultural impact assessment’. Cultural impact assessments, or “CIAs” can impose conditions or veto consents and cover historical in cultural matters, including the ‘metaphysical’ considerations of iwi.

Jo Holmes, a spokesperson for the Ratepayers’ Alliance, says:

“Seldom does it seem ratepayers get a win from this Mayor and Council, but Auckland property owners will welcome the removal of the 1,373 sites, and hope it is a sign of things to come.”

"We are calling Councillors to do the right thing, follow the advice of the Arcelogical Association, and scrap the provisions entirely."

In April the Ratepayers’ Alliance joined the Democracy Action, the Taxpayers’ Union, and the Property Investers’ Federation in launching a report entitled “The Taniwha Tax” which outlines the impact of the Mana Whenua provisions. The report can be downloaded from the Ratepayers’ Alliances website.

ENDS

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