RMA plans disadvantage Maori, trust says

Proposed changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) will disadvantage Maori even further than the current legislation, the Ngati Pahauwera Development Trust says.

The local government and environment committee is hearing submissions on a bill introduced by the Government to remedy what it considers to be excessively bureaucratic processes that delay consents.

But, Trust lawyer Grant Powell said the changes "do not rectify the basic Treaty (of Waitangi) inconsistencies in the RMA".

"They (the changes) make inclusion by Maori even more problematic."

Maori are ignored and excluded from decision-making under the RMA and the Act's processes are uncertain, expensive and time-consuming, Mr Powell said.

The Trust had particular problems with the removal of a right to appeal unless it was on a question of law, the increased costs associated with applications going directly to the Environment Court, reducing the number of notified resource consent applications, the reintroduction of security costs and the removal of the Conservation Minister's power to decide on coastal permits for restricted coastal activities.

"The Bill as currently drafted represents a missed opportunity to reform the RMA to ensure that it complies with the Crown's duties under the Treaty."

The proposed changes formed "yet another example of discriminatory legislation".

Another submitter to the committee was even more strongly opposed to the changes.

Masters student Linda Conning said the changes should be scrapped and the Government should start again.

If changes are made they should "strengthen public participation, not weaken it".

"In particular, the rights of affected parties need more protection."

The system should work for everyone "not just people trying to push through developments quickly", Ms Conning said.

The amending bill contains more than 160 changes to the Act.

It has to report the bill back to Parliament by June 19.

- NZPA