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Advocacy and submissions

The Pou Taiao  team has been kept busy with changes to legislation, including the previous Labour Government's changes to the Resource Management Act, and the National coalition government's assault on the taiao via its avalanche of legislation. 

 

These submisions  are archived here. 

2025 submissions

Te Kahu o Taonui Healthy Futures Pae Ora Amendment Bill Submission

Strong opposition to the Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Bill, emphasizing Crown obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the need to uphold Māori health equity and environmental integrity.

NCIF Pou Taiao submission - NPS Freshwater

Challenges proposed changes to National Direction for Freshwater, arguing they lack evidence and meaningful iwi engagement, and will harm environmental outcomes.

Te Kahu o Taonui Submission National Direction Packages 1-3

Responds to updates on national direction for infrastructure, development, and primary sector; raises concerns about RMA replacement and its implications for iwi rights and environmental stewardship.

Te Kahu o Taonui Submission Overseas Investment Amendment Bill

Opposes amendments to the Overseas Investment Act, citing risks to whenua, wai, and taonga, and erosion of protections critical to Māori communities.

Te Kahu o Taonui Submission on the Emissions Trading Scheme

Highlights the deficiencies of the current and proposed Emissions Trading Scheme for its negative impact on Māori and deficiencies in modelling.

Te Kahu o Taonui Submission Regulatory Standards Bill June 25

Strongly opposes the Regulatory Standards Bill for excluding Te Tiriti principles, viewing it as a constitutional regression undermining Māori rights.

Te Kahu o Taonui Submission re Public Works Critical Infrastructure Amendment Bill

Raises concerns about amendments to the Public Works Act, highlighting risks to Māori land and the need for recognition of cultural and intergenerational stewardship.

Te Kahu o Taonui Submission Proposed Amendments to TTWM Act 1993

Addresses proposed changes to Te Ture Whenua Māori Act, advocating for retention and sustainable use of Māori land to support whānau and hapū wellbeing.

Te Kahu o Taonui Submission re Waipairo Bay Marina

Opposes fast-track approval for Waipiro Bay Marina, citing failure to meet legislative criteria and lack of consideration for Treaty settlements and customary rights.

Te Kahu o Taonui Submission Fisheries Act Proposed Ammendments

Opposes commercial development that compromises the health and wellbeing of ecosystems.

Gene Technology Bill Submission

Addresses regulation of gene technology, advocating for strong safeguards to protect Māori rights, taonga species, and environmental integrity.

Fast Track Bill Submission

Opposes fast-track consenting processes that bypass iwi consultation and environmental protections, emphasizing Te Tiriti obligations.

Offshore Renewable Energy Bill Submission

Supports renewable energy development with conditions ensuring Māori participation, protection of customary rights, and environmental stewardship.

Resource Management Consenting & Other System Changes Amendment Bill Submission

Raises concerns about proposed changes to resource management and consenting systems, emphasizing the need to protect Māori decision-making authority, uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations, and prevent environmental degradation through streamlined processes.

Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill

Strongly opposes the removal or dilution of Treaty principles from legislation, viewing it as a breach of Te Tiriti and a threat to Māori rights.

2024 submissions

Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill Submission

Te Kahu o Taonui rejects the reinstatement of polls on Māori wards, advocating for fair Māori representation and genuine Treaty partnership in local government.

Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill Submission

Te Kahu o Taonui opposes the repeal of Te Mana o te Wai’s hierarchical obligations and calls for the Crown to maintain strong protections for water and iwi interests.

Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill Submission

Te Kahu o Taonui urges the Crown to pause the Bill and engage properly with Treaty partners to ensure environmental protections and Māori rights are upheld.

2023 Submissions

Review into the Future for Local Government Submission

Advocates for a Tiriti-based partnership, stronger iwi/hapū participation and representation, equitable co-investment/funding, and increased capability/resourcing across central and local government to deliver improved local wellbeing and decision-making.

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Therapeutic Products Bill Submission

Objects to the Therapeutic Products Bill as written because it would inappropriately regulate rongoā and mātauranga Māori within a non-Māori framework, contravening Te Tiriti and WAI 262 and risking negative impacts on access to rongoā and practitioners.

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Natural and Built Environment & Spatial Planning Bills Submission

Critiques the NBE and SPA Bills as insufficiently Tiriti-compliant and under-resourced, calling for stronger recognition of Te Oranga o te Taiao, protection of iwi/hapū freshwater interests, certainty for Treaty settlements, and adequate resourcing for meaningful iwi/hapū participation.

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Extension to submission deadline Natural and Built Environment Bill and the Spatial Planning Bill

Te Kahu o Taonui requests an extension to the submission deadline to allow sufficient time for robust, well-informed input on major reforms that have significant implications for Māori, iwi authorities, and tāngata whenua.

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Extension to submission deadline Water Services Legislation Bill and Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill

Te Kahu o Taonui submits an interim request for a deadline extension to ensure iwi and hapū have adequate opportunity to provide a considered written submission on the Bills.

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Submission to the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee on the Water Services Legislation Bill, Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill

Te Kahu o Taonui calls for amendments to strengthen the recognition of Te Mana o te Wai, protect iwi and hapū rights and interests in water, and ensure Treaty settlements and Māori land protections are upheld within the proposed legislation.

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