Federated Farmers has welcomed the Government’s decision to prevent existing and new Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements from transferring into New Zealand’s new resource management system.
Last week, Federated Farmers called on the Government to end the rush by councils to sign Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements before the new planning system comes into force.
Federated Farmers made the same recommendation in its submission on the Government’s resource management reform legislation.
“We’re really pleased the Government has listened,” said Federated Farmers RMA reform spokesperson, Mark Hooper.
“Over recent months we’ve seen a big increase in councils rushing to sign these agreements before the law changes.
“That’s created uncertainty for farmers and raised serious concerns about accountability.”
The Environment Committee today came back with its recommendations on the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill, which will replace the Resource Management Act.
Alongside the Committee’s recommendations, the Government has agreed further changes to the legislation, including relating to Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements.
No existing or initiated Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements will transfer into the new planning system. Instead, councils will be able to enter into more narrowly scoped iwi participation agreements with clear legislative guardrails.
“While there is absolutely a place for relationship agreements between councils and iwi, they need appropriate safeguards,” Mr Hooper says.
“Decision-making powers that affect communities should remain with democratically accountable elected representatives.
“The new guardrails announced by the Government are an important step in ensuring that.”
Federated Farmers says it will now take the time to work through the Select Committee’s report, which runs to more than 500 pages, to fully understand the changes being proposed.
“At first glance, it’s extremely encouraging to see the Government has agreed to scrap the transfer of all Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements and replace them with more narrowly focused arrangements,” Mr Hooper says.
“That’s exactly what Federated Farmers recommended.”
Federated Farmers also welcomed the Government signalling it is considering changes to address Waikato Regional Council’s Plan Change 1.
“We’ve consistently argued it makes no sense for Waikato farmers and growers to implement an expensive and complex new planning regime while the entire resource management system is being replaced.”
“We look forward to seeing the detail of the Government’s proposed solution,” said Mr Hooper.
