Hawke's Bay Regional Planning Committee established

Hawke's Bay Regional Council and local iwi are leading the way in the management of natural resources, said Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson after attending the opening ceremony of the Hawke's Bay Regional Planning Committee.

The committee will be responsible for the development and amendments of the Regional Plan and Regional Policy Statement. It includes representatives of the Hawke's Bay Regional Council, Ngāti Pāhauwera, Maungaharuru-Tangitu Incorporated, Mana Ahuriri Incorporated, Ngāti Hineuru Iwi Incorporated, Ngāti Ruapani, Te Tira Whakaemi o Te Wairoa, and Ngāti Tūwharetoa. Ngai Tūhoe, and He Toa Takitini also have the option to join.

“The planning committee is an excellent example of tangata whenua and local government working together. I applaud the vision and leadership of tangata whenua and this Council in establishing the Planning Committee.

Through the committee, iwi will be able to contribute towards planning for the use of natural resources and environmental outcomes through regional plans and regional policy statement.

“Initiatives like this are about agreeing to a better future for all. But this is not just about engagement, it is a practical measure that will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of planning processes in the Region.

The committee has been set up under existing mechanisms provided for in the Local Government Act 2002. The Crown has agreed to assist the long-term management of the Committee by introducing legislation to ensure it comes under the joint committee provisions of the Local Government Act.

The Crown will contribute $100,000 towards transition costs of the committee.