MEDIA STATEMENT
14 March 2017
Marama Fox and Te Ururoa Flavell
Māori Party Co-leaders

Māori Party continue to support GE Free stance

The Māori Party says they are confident of ironing out areas of concerns within the Resource Legislation Amendments Bill (RLAB) before the third and final reading.

Māori Party Co-leader Marama Fox says supporting today’s second reading of RLAB had not meant the Māori Party have put aside concerns around GM Free and section 360D.

Ms Fox says the Māori Party is confident that their ongoing talks with Minister for the Environment Hon Nick Smith will result in a solution that will resolve those issues.

“The GM issue and s360D powers are major issues for us but we have also been active in ensuring communities still have a say and we are working through that with him at the moment.

“This is an important piece of legislation and we are still at the negotiating table looking to allay those concerns. We are supporting the second reading in good faith and look to the committee stages, when amendments can be put forward to reflect our position.”

Māori Party Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says the Māori Party have identified key areas in the Bill as a priority and have negotiated with National amendments to the RMA which strikes a balance between environmental protection and development.

“Retaining Section 6 and 7, Part 2 of the RMA, where environmental protection remain at the forefront has always been our stand and the call for iwi participation arrangements detailing how tangata whenua, through iwi authorities and councils, will work together throughout the planning process has been addressed.

“The gains we will secure around RLAB will strengthen kaitiakitanga for iwi and the protection of the environment, while balancing the nation’s economic needs,” Mr Flavell says.

The mechanism proposed to be used to achieve kaitiakitanga in the new Bill is through Mana Whakahono ā Rohe Agreements, says Ms Fox.

“The principles that underpin mana whakahono agreements will ensure both iwi and councils have a mutually agreed understanding of how iwi will be involved and what is required of iwi and councils.

“This will also support wider stakeholders understanding of why, how and when they are required to engage with iwi.”

END

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