Iwi, council join forces for 12-month technical trial

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Tairāwhiti iwi and Gisborne District Council have come together to create an iwi technical trial that will provide a te ao Māori perspective to resource management.

GDC chief of strategy and science Jo Noble says it will be a 12-month trial that ensures the review of the Tairāwhiti Resource Management Plan includes a hapū and iwi lens from tangata whenua.

“It will run alongside work to establish a regional co-governance body with iwi. We are all excited about bringing new and innovative ideas to regional plan development,” Ms Noble said.

The trial will involve five technical experts appointed by the four iwi — Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou, Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri Tutu Poroporo Trust and Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki Trust. The members will directly contribute to the drafting of the Tairāwhiti Resource Management Plan (TRMP) review.

All involved agree that incorporating their individual positions and mātauranga (knowledge) will be invaluable in drafting new environmental planning outcomes for the region.

The trial will also provide information to assist the region with Resource Management Act reform.

Ms Noble says iwi technicians and council staff will co-develop draft planning and resource management guidance.

“The application of this knowledge is critical to informing a holistic approach to management of natural resources which is overdue in the local government sector.”

Technicians will spend two days a week on GDC kaupapa, covering a range of topics under the TRMP review such as freshwater planning, new areas for housing, consent process and development of the Long Term Plan for 2024-2034.