Northland Regional Council is working to address long-standing issues with how iwi and hapū are engaged in the resource consent process. The key findings of a review, recently presented to TTMAC, highlight several critical areas needing attention.

Improving council’s regulatory processes, to make sure they’re being done in a culturally appropriate and inclusive manner, is one of the actions set out in council’s Te Tiriti Strategy and Implementation Plan, Tāiki ē.

The review, conducted by Barker & Associates, looked at three phases of the resource consent process – pre-lodgement, further information, and notification/decisions.

It is clear the current engagement methods are fraught with issues, causing frustration among all parties involved – iwi, hapū, council staff, and applicants. However, the report also suggests that these challenges are not insurmountable.

To streamline the process and enhance engagement, the report outlines several key recommendations, including:

• Updating and maintaining an iwi and hapū contact database to ensure accurate and current information.
• Enhancing spatial mapping tools to clearly identify the rohe of iwi and hapū.
• Reviewing plan settings to provide clearer guidelines for engagement and notification.
• Simplifying application forms to clarify requirements for assessing effects on tāngata whenua and their taonga.
• Developing best practice templates for Cultural Impact Assessments (CIAs).
• Assigning a dedicated staff member to support iwi and hapū throughout the consent process.
• Promoting pre-application meetings for more complex applications.
• Establishing consistent timeframes for further information requests.
• Circulating non-notified resource consent decisions to relevant iwi and hapū.
• Creating a practice note for appointing Māori Commissioners.
• Embedding tikanga into the hearing process on a case-by-case basis.

The report which was endorsed by TTMAC — subject to any minor amendments — has now been approved by council’s Audit, Risk and Finance Committee, which has oversight of regulatory issues.

This collaborative effort marks a significant step towards a more inclusive and effective resource consent process, reflecting the commitment of council and TTMAC to work together for the benefit of all, including tāngata whenua, who have interests or concerns relating to resource consents.