Summary: Iwi Meeting Re Minerals and Unitary Authority

23 February 2012, Toka Tumoana, Kaitaia 10:30am

Present: Rangitane Marsden (Convenor - Ngāi Takoto), Kaeo (Ngāi Takoto), Mangu Awarau (arrived late); Louise Mischewski, Raymond Subritzky (Te Rūnanga o Te Aupōuri); Abe Witana, Bronwyn Hunt (Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa); Allan Pivac (Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua); Pita Tipene (Ngāti Hine); Rowena Tana (Ngāti Hine); Piripi Grimshaw (Far North District Council); Catherine Davis (Ngāti Kuri Trust Board).

PURPOSE OF THE MEETING

1. Iwi (instigated with an invitation from Ngāi Takoto) called this meeting in response to the Ministry of Economic Development’s (the Ministry’s) intended public consultation exercise about its mining policy review. There was no Māori-specific consultation planned. Iwi thought this was unacceptable for us a Te Tiriti partners, and requested the Ministry to come engage with us directly.

2. The two issues of the Unitary Authority and Mining are related. In the post-Treaty Land Claims Settlement environment, Iwi will be the biggest landowner in our rohe, so by rights we should have more influence over Council decision-making.

3. Due to weather conditions, the Crown officials were unable to meet. So the Iwi representatives took the opportunity to strategise.

DISCUSSION POINTS

Mining

4. The bigger picture, however, is that fossil fuels extraction is not only a ‘sunset industry’, but it’s killing our planet. There is a more significant imperative to support the uptake of easily accessible renewable energy technology by the masses. Who else will lead the charge to protect our environment but us, the Kaitiaki?

5. Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa’s submissions to the Government in 2009 included that no mining decisions shall be made by the Ministry until Iwi settlements are completed. Two years later in 2011 the Ministry replied that it had not granted any petroleum permits for Blocks 7 & 10, it was interested in building relationships with iwi, and it put in place a Liaison Officer - Pieri Munroe – to facilitate that relationship.

6. ‘On Principle’ Points of Consensus:

a. Te Rerenga Wairua and Te Ara Wairua must be absolutely protected. This means no activity must be allowed that poses a risk of unwanted effects on those areas.

b. In all other respects, each iwi has the right to exercise its own mana motuhake, and make fully informed decisions based good data (including a

solid cost/ benefit analysis). However, as kaitiaki, we need to be making environmentally-responsible economic development decisions.

c. The meeting with the Ministry would be rescheduled (Whangarei venue to be confirmed).

Unitary Authority

7. Council has given some positive signals regarding improvements with Iwi representation in Council decision-making as a part of a proposed shift to a Unitary Authority. While we are cautiously optimistic, such signals cannot be fully relied upon: if the proposal is put to a public referendum, for example, ratepayers may vote against enhanced iwi representation. We must maximize and secure a guarantee for the protection of our iwi position before we give our support to a Unitary Authority proposal. Iwi shouldn’t bother engaging at all if the new model is no better than the current situation in terms of our overall decision-making influence.

8. ‘On Principle’ Points of Consensus:

a. Iwi must develop and agree on a shared collective long-term vision on our terms, with basic principles, priorities and outcomes to guide our engagement with third parties such as Councils and the Ministry.

b. There needs to be a critical analysis done of the benefits and the risks of the Unitary Authority proposal, and Council should contribute funds to facilitate Iwi engagement with them.

c. Rangi to draft a letter to all Tai Tokerau Territorial Authorities about our discussion today. Participating Iwi to approve the letter before it’s sent off.

General

9. Iwi need to shift our conversations both internally and externally (with third parties) to a higher level. We should always be operating consistent with the principle of ‘working together’.

10. ‘On Principle’ Points of Consensus:

a. Tai Tokerau Iwi need to:

i. develop a comprehensive regional strategic plan/intent re social, cultural, environmental and economic priorities (minerals and the Unitary Authority proposal are just two aspects of this); and

ii. ensure the Iwi Chairs Forum and Iwi CEO’s endorse our strategy.

ENDS 12:35pm

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