11. RAHUI KATENE (Māori Party—Te Tai Tonga) Link to this
to the Minister for the Environment
Does he agree with the statement in Ko Aotearoa Tēnei, that “direct infusion of indigenous values into mainstream environmental regulation may well be unique in the world”; if so, how will he advance the opportunities for Māori to take more positive and proactive roles in environmental decision-making?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for the Environment) Link to this
The Government has not yet considered this Waitangi Tribunal report, so it is premature to give a definitive answer. A group of Ministers led by the Attorney-General, with advice from officials, has been convened to give careful consideration to this 1,000-page report. Current Government policy does recognise that Māori and local iwi do have—
Hon Shane JonesHon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
—“lazy”, from the guy who was late for his TV programme on work—a special perspective on environmental issues. We support specific mechanisms to ensure that the Māori voice is heard, consistent with the Treaty of Waitangi, on environmental decision-making, but we do not support a veto.
Does the Minister agree with the Waitangi Tribunal that “Nearly 20 years after the RMA was enacted, it is fair to say that the legislation has delivered Māori scarcely a shadow of its original promise.”, and what current initiatives does he have in train to ensure central government plays a key leadership role in encouraging local authorities to have particular regard to both the Treaty and the concept of kaitiakitanga?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
My initial view is that the report is overstated. The performance of the councils in meeting their responsibilities to consult and engage with local iwi is a mixed bag. Some councils are doing very well; some are not. This issue has been strongly advocated by the Minister of Māori Affairs, Dr Pita Sharples. We are exploring policy options to improve the performance of the councils, and officials are due to report back to Cabinet by May 2012.
What explanation can the Minister suggest for why, between 1991 and 2010, not a single section 33 delegation of powers and functions to iwi has occurred—a measure that was introduced into the Resource Management Act to enable local iwi to participate in environmental decision-making and management?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
I think the reason is that there is real nervousness about delegating decision making completely to an iwi authority. There is a big difference between iwi participating in decision making and iwi actually making the decisions. As I said in answer to the primary question, it is the Government’s view that Māori and iwi have an important voice in environmental decision-making, but this does not amount to a veto.