Resource Management - Komiti
Ngati Rarua Atiawa Iwi Trust participates in a monthly hui with other iwi entities for the Motueka rohe.
There are five entities that attend the monthly RMA Advisory meeting which is held at Te Awhina Marae, Nga-ti Ra-rua and Te Atiawa, Ngati Tama, Wakatu Inc and Ngati Rarua Atiawa Iwi Trust. These entities have formed Tiakina te Taiao Ltd a Resource Advisory Management Komiti that meet to consider issues relating to Resource Management and environmental issues that relate to resource consent applications and other resource management issues.
The Advisory Komiti does not take away the autonomy of individual iwi. This means that individual consultation with each iwi and confirmation by iwi that consultation has taken place for resource consent applications may also be required.
The Komiti can:
- Identify which iwi you will need to consult regarding your application;
- Advise you of any environmental concerns that iwi may have about your application; and
- Assist in the preparation and identification of appropriate consultation mechanisms to progress your application.
- Please note: This service is provided on a cost recovery basis. The current charge is $50 per hour/per iwi group in attendance ($12.50 every 15 minutes).
Examples of Environmental Management Issues of Concern to Tangata Whenua
Iwi take a holistic approach to environmental management.
Below is a list of environmental issues that tangata whenua have identified. Tangata whenua issues are not necessarily limited to those detailed in the following list.
Waahi Tapu are sacred site of significance to tangata whenua. Waahi tapu refers to a broad range of places; it is a state attributed to an area in recognition of the tapu associated with that area. Waahi tapu include, but are not limited to, urupa (unmarked burial sites or cemeteries), ancestral lands and marae areas, Tauranga waka (canoe landing sites), mahinga maitaitai (traditional fishing grounds) burial caves, and buried whakairo (carvings). Concerns relate to the potential of an activity to desecrate or destroy waahi tapu.
Water Quality – the maintenance and protection of the mauri (the life-supporting capacity) of a water body. Tangata whenua concerns relate to discharges into water, the taking, the damming and diverting of water, the health of the aquatic life including native fish, and any detrimental effects on waahi tapu sites associated with water bodies as a result of an activity.
Coastal Activities – The coastal areas have long been important routes or pathways for the tangata whenua of the area. There are many waahi tapu, and mahinga kai areas associated with the coastal environment. Therefore, issues relate to the contamination of food gathering areas, the destruction of coastal habitat, and the potential for earthworks to desecrate or destroy archaeological sites and other waahi tapu.
Effluent Discharges concerns will depend on the nature of the activity.
Earthworks (including gravel extraction) issues relate to disturbance of indigenous flora and fauna, situation of water bodies resulting from earthworks, and the proximity of earthworks to waahi tapu, including archaeological sites. Further issues relate to the removal of subsoil and gravel in beds of rivers.
Air Quality: Discharges from air – the main concern is the effect of smell and visual impacts on important sites, including waahi tapu. Iwi are also concerned about the effect of air discharges on the health of tangata whenua.
Flora and Fauna – for example, replacement planting of trees, including tree type and location of replanting.
Pest Eradication – this concern relates to the eradication of pest animals and plants with chemicals.
Iwi Management Plan Proposal – it is proposed to write up an Iwi Management Plan for the rohe of Motueka from the iwi perspective.
How to contact Tiakina te Taiao Ltd the Iwi Resource Management Advisory Komiti.
Appointments can be made with the Iwi Resource Management Advisory Komiti by contacting:
Larry Bailey
C/- Te A-whina Marae
133 Pah Street
MOTUEKA
Email: larry-aukati@ts.co.nz
Nga-ti Ra-rua A-tiawa Iwi Trust Sponsor the Administration of the Motueka Advisory Komiti.
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