Horizons Regional Council has voted to formally oppose the Principles of The Treaty of Waitangi Bill.
At a full council meeting Councillors also voted to support the submission from Te Uru Kahika – the collective of Aotearoa New Zealand’s regional and unitary councils – and to speak to Council’s submission on the Principles of The Treaty of Waitangi Bill (the Bill).
Horizons chair Rachel Keedwell says there are several specific issues and perspectives from our region, along with possible operational impacts, which influence Council’s position on the Bill.
“One of Council’s four strategic priorities formulated during the 2024-34 Long-term Plan process is: Te whakakaha whanaungatanga ki te tangata whenua | Strengthening partnerships with tangata whenua,” says Cr Keedwell.
“We also added a community outcome during our 2024-34 Long-term Plan process: He whanaungatanga whai mana | Our region’s relationships with iwi and hapū are respectful and mana-enhancing.
“Our strategic priorities and community outcomes guide the work of Council and staff. They also ensure we uphold meaningful partnerships and connections with iwi and hapū who have statutory acknowledgement, whakapapa (ancestral ties) and tino rangatiratanga within our region.
“There is misalignment between the Bill and how we operate as a Council and treaty partner.”
Council are also concerned of the inherent uncertainty this Bill introduces, says Cr Keedwell.
“The process the Bill has taken has meant local government has been unable to feed into the Bill. It has also meant that iwi and hapū have not engaged with the Bill or the drafting of the proposed principles.”
There are also specific regional concerns for iwi and hapű who have settled and those yet to settle Treaty claims, says Cr Keedwell.
“Tangata whenua are invested in the work we do, particularly in environmental policy. They are actively involved in practical initiatives to enhance the wellbeing of te taiao (natural world) and local communities.
“If Principle 2 as written in the Bill remains unchanged, there will likely be inherent inequality and inequity for unsettled iwi. There is significant uncertainty in how Council may navigate this inequality and inequity, given the references to principles of the Treaty of Waitangi in the Resource Management Act 1991, The Local Government Act 2002 and other relevant legislation.
“Settlements are important in providing redress in many ways for iwi and hapū. Many settlements in our region include ongoing provisions, for example, providing for iwi advisory committee and boards to provide advice on the management of natural resources. It is unclear how these will be respected and protected while aligning with the proposed treaty principles.
“Horizons’ relationships with iwi and hapū are vital due to the deep connections tangata whenua have within our region. Those relationships are the basis for constructive dialogue, and assist Council’s work to prioritise te taiao and resource use in ways that benefit everyone. This ensures we can achieve Council’s vision for the region: Tō tātou whenua ora – mauri wai, mauri whenua, mauri ora | Our region – a healthy environment where people are thriving.”