Source: Hāpai Te Hauora
Hāpai Te Hauora says planning decisions are public health decisions, warning the Government’s decision to remove Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements from its replacement resource management legislation risks weakening Māori participation in decisions that shape health and wellbeing.
While Hāpai supports efforts to improve and streamline Aotearoa’s planning system, it says reform should strengthen, not replace, the partnerships that have taken years to build between iwi and local government.
Chief Executive Jacqui Harema says planning decisions extend far beyond development.
“Planning decisions shape much more than development. They influence housing, drinking water, the natural environment, transport, climate resilience and the places where our whānau live, work and play.
“These are all fundamental determinants of health. The decisions we make about our environment today will have lasting impacts on the health and wellbeing of future generations.”
Harema says Hāpai’s position is grounded in the understanding of oranga whenua, oranga tangata – the wellbeing of the land and environment is inseparable from the wellbeing of our people.
“For Māori, the wellbeing of our people is inseparable from the health of our whenua and wai. When decisions about te taiao are made without meaningful Māori partnership, the impacts can be far-reaching and felt for generations. Strong partnerships between iwi and local government recognise this connection and help ensure decisions are informed by mātauranga Māori, local knowledge and a shared commitment to the wellbeing of our environment and communities.”
Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements were established under the Resource Management Act to provide a formal framework for iwi and councils to work together on planning and resource management matters. Hāpai says the agreements recognised that meaningful relationships and genuine partnership lead to better outcomes for communities.
“Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements were established because other forms of engagement had repeatedly failed Māori communities. Replacing these agreements with a weaker participation framework risks taking us backwards.
“It sends yet another signal to Māori that this Government is willing to put commercial interests ahead of an already strained Te Tiriti relationship, at a time when genuine partnership is essential to addressing the complex environmental, housing and health challenges facing whānau.”
Harema says Hāpai is also concerned the proposal emerged only after submissions on the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill had closed.
“Had we known this change was being proposed, we would have addressed it directly in our submission.
“Decisions of this significance deserve transparent public consultation and a genuine opportunity for Māori to have their voices heard.”
Hāpai Te Hauora is calling on the Government to ensure any replacement framework preserves meaningful partnership between iwi and local government, and recognises that Māori must continue to have a genuine role in decisions that shape the health of our people and our environment.
Oranga Whenua, Oranga Tangata.