Maori will have a bigger say on how fresh water resources are managed in Hawke's Bay under proposed reforms presented at a public meeting in Hastings yesterday.
Hawke's Bay Regional Council will also be pushed harder to account for all water takes, whether they be consented or not, as well as record the location and level of nutrients and contaminants leaching into waterways.
The government is on a country-wide tour seeking public feedback on its freshwater reform document and another outlining proposed changes to the Resource Management Act.
About 75 people met at the Hawke's Bay Opera House in Hastings to hear government officials outline what the changes could mean how people could have a say.
By far it was the freshwater reform document which generated the most interest as organisers recognised Hawke's Bay's history with drought.