Waikaretu RMA Unit

Waikaretu Marae acknowledges that the Resource Management Act 1991 and subsequent amendments in 2002 depict that, in the main, resource consents are processed by local council authorities (local and regional).

The intent behind the RMA 2002 amendments brought in the statement that consultation for resource consent applicants was not mandatory, however it robustly reminds applicants (irrespective the local government authority and/or catchment area) of “best practice”. This statement requires a ‘measurement test and review’ as to how it has been beneficial (or not) and to which party.

The before-mentioned also especially been problematic for Hapu , Iwi who have (singular or several) local council authorities with a limited relationship to the tangata Whenua population in which the local council regulatory area is location. This also applies to the ‘generic Maori’ terminology which gives local councils and others opportunity to be selective and undermine the Manawhenua tribal rights of the home haukainga people.

Much of this could have been avoided with ‘best practice’ local government educational programmes at staff officer level and the level of assistance given to hapu, iwi organisations to complete relevant planning documents. Such documents would establish the various robust policy and processes that would greatly assist council staff in their work activities. 

Waikaretu Marae greatly prefers and insists upon the early pre-notification consultation process which maintains a consistency with Te Tiriti o Waitangi principle of active protection by enabling Waikaretu Marae to exercise its inherent kai-tiaki responsibilities.

We do not however fully rely on Te Tiriti principles being considered as due process and much of our work is inherent from other pieces of legislation.

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