February 10, 2021
RMA reform offers chance for Maori to shine
A collective of five Māori groups engaging with the government on reform of the Resource Management Act says the process creates opportunities for Māori.
Environment Minister David Parker yesterday announced the 30-year old RMA will be replaced by a new Natural and Built Environments Act and acts covering strategic planning and climate change.
Co-chairs Rukumoana Schaafhausen and Kingi Smiler say the goals of the collective are to ensure the natural environment, te taiao, is protected and restored, and that Māori have a central role in achieving this objective.
It also wants to make sure the reforms will recognise the rights and interests of iwi and hapū in freshwater.
The collective includes the Freshwater Iwi Leaders Group, Te Wai Māori Trust, the Federation of Māori Authorities, the New Zealand Māori Council, and Te Kāhui Wai Māori, the advisory forum appointed by the crown to look at the freshwater policy.
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