Iwi-council agreements 'narrowly scoped' in late change to new RMA system

<p>Existing council agreements giving iwi a formal role in planning decisions will not be retained under a late change to the Government's RMA reforms, with the minister citing a "massive surge" in councils signing them.</p> <p>Local authorities would instead be able to sign new "narrowly scoped" iwi participation agreements, setting out how iwi authorities take part in statutory planning processes and in the processes that give effect to Treaty settlement redress.</p> <p>The Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill, together replacing the Resource Management Act, were reported back to Parliament by the environment select committee earlier today, clearing the way for a second reading of the legislation.</p> <p>The bills as introduced would have preserved existing Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements while not allowing new ones under the old framework.