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.

“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.”

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