The Māori Party's position on the Land Transport Management Amendment Bill, which passed its first reading on Tuesday night was clarified today by Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell. "We want to see robust planning and consultation processes that build on the status quo not diminish it" said Flavell.
"Tangata whenua must have an equitable voice in the process of decision-making when those decisions systematically affect the responsibilities and obligations of mana whenua to exercise kaitiakitanga - the duties of guardianship".
"The Māori Party opposes the Land Transport Management Amendment Bill in its current form, insofar as it minimises the role tangata whenua have in the decision-making process through regional transport plans and consultation requirements.
"You can't have 'land transport' without land, and you can't have good ‘land transport management' without the right people".
"Tangata whenua and mana whenua throughout New Zealand are most certainly the right people to be involving when informed decisions need to be made, at the regional level, about how certain of areas of land within that region should be used. Meaningful planning and consultation processes will lead to decisions which are more effective, more durable, and more sustainable.
The government's agenda of streamlining processes for an 'effective, efficient and safe land transport system that supports the public interest' is about fast-tracked decisions not better ones, and minimum input for maximum output.
It's a step in the wrong direction and we will not support it.