MP for Hauraki-Waikato Hana-Rawhiti Calls on Govt to Honour its Commitments to Waikato and Waipaa Awa
Hauraki-Waikato MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke says the Government’s decision to delay key provisions of Plan Change 1, which sets rules to protect and restore the health of the Waikato and Waipaa awa, puts 3-yearly electoral interests ahead of its obligations to iwi and the environment.
“This is bigger than a plan or a process. It is about whether the Crown will keep its word to Waikato-Tainui and honour the commitments it made – and written into legislation” says Maipi-Clarke.
“The power of Te Ture Whaimana is that it can override other pieces of legislation. It sits at the heart of the Waikato-Tainui Treaty settlement and establishes a clear obligation to restore and protect the health and wellbeing of our awa.
“After more than a decade of work, the Environment Court has reached its decision. Yet, only metres away from the finish line, this Government has chosen to press pause for another six years.
“This is part of a wider pattern. In 2017, Te Paati Maaori secured Mana Whakahono-aa-Rohe to put hapuu voices at the heart of decisions affecting their whenua. More than 35 agreements have since been signed or are under negotiation. Now, this Government is ripping that progress away through Fast-Track and RMA reform, silencing the very hapū voices these agreements were designed to uphold.
“Iwi and hapuu voices matter. Decisions about our whenua and communities must be made with the people who whakapapa to those places.
“Te Paati Maaori stands with Waikato-Tainui and the iwi and hapuu of Waikato in upholding their responsibilities to their pepeha.
“We call on the Government to honour its commitments and enter into a new era of co-management and co-governance with Waikato-Tainui, as set out in the Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Act 2010.
“Our awa cannot wait for an election cycle. Our mokopuna cannot wait for political promises to be honoured” concluded Maipi-Clarke.
