Submissions update

TToTW have provided submissions in response to a number of proposed legislative changes. In 2026, these have included ‘Emergency Management Bill № 2’, ‘Simplifying Local Government Draft Proposal’, ‘Data and Statistics (Census) Amendment Bill’ and the ‘Natural Environment and Planning Bills’.

 The key concerns for TToTW across all our responses have remained consistent:

• the protection of our Settlement interests;
• the unduly, hasty manner in which much of the reform has been developed.
• lack of substantive, evidence-based justification for many of the drastic reform; and,
• the complete lack of informed engagement with our hapū and iwi.

TToTW acknowledge there are many areas where legislative provisions can be strengthened, however, the change must not come at the expense of tangata whenua participation, partnership or enduring Tiriti-based arrangements.

The ‘Simplifying Local Government Draft Proposal’ in its current form, significantly reduces Māori participation in local government decision-making. The proposed changes undermine local democracy, accountability, and the legitimacy of decisions affecting communities and the taiao. TToTW works closely with the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Wairoa District Council to support improved outcomes for whānau and the taiao. Through this relationshipwe have practical, on-the-ground experience of local government processes and performance. Tangata whenua representatives and locally elected councillors are best placed to make region-specific decisions that reflect hapū and community aspirations. The proposed changes will impact key Settlement mechanisms including the Regional Planning Committee (RPC),and our Tripartite Relationship Agreement, which are essential for enabling tangata whenua participation in the resource management system at the local and regional level.

Under the changes, a Combined Territories Board is proposed that would elevate mayors into the distinct regional planning, decision-making and environmental regulation role at the Regional Council level, without demonstrating why this is appropriate or beneficial. It would effectively reduce tangata whenua representation at the regional decision-making table to only those who happen to be elected as mayors. Local familiarity or public profile alone is not enough to justify greater regional governance authority. Any reform that shifts influence over decision-making that impacts the taiao must be clearly justified, with proven capability requirements, and assurance that those exercising decision-making power have the expertise, and appropriate mandate.

These proposed changes to Local Government are poorly aligned with the wider reforms, particularly, the Natural Environment and Planning Bills which TToTW strongly opposes in their current form. They continue a policy direction that reduces the role of Māori participation and engagement in planning policy, undermines Te Tiriti o Waitangi and threaten our Treaty Settlement. The Bills override or dilute existing environmental protections, including those that protect the Taiao, and uphold hapū and iwi interests.  While TToTW broadly agrees the RMA needs review, the Bills are a step backwards from the recognition and protections of Te Tiriti and Māori rights and interests provided through the RMA. Our Treaty Settlement was negotiated in the context of existing legislation like the RMA, which contains enhanced protective Māori provisions, such as sections 6(e), 7(a) and 8. Those provisions formed the backdrop to our Settlement negotiations, so that similar provisions were not required in our Settlement Act. They are key pillars supporting our Settlement and need to be retained. Other concerns include the extremely limited "Māori interests’ goal"; fewer consent notifications and processes where interests can be recognised framework that excludes Mātauranga Māori; the removal of requirements to improve degraded resources to meet environmental limits; and, allowing for exemptions to environmental bottom lines. Much of the proposed legislative reform is inconsistent with good public policy development and good governance, undermining our ability to exercise mana motuhake and kaitiakitanga, guaranteed under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Our Treaty Settlement was negotiated in good faith with the Crown based on mutual trust and cooperation towards a common goal. Our expectation is that our hapū and iwi are afforded meaningful engagement across any legislative reform, that is consistent with the integrity, intent and effect of our Settlement.

The proposed shift to an admin data first census model under the Data and Statistics (Census) Amendment Bill’ will materially disadvantage Māori, particularly small, rural iwi and hapū communities such as Wairoa. For Wairoa, the Bill risks statistical invisibility, loss of iwi and hapūlevel data, weakened ability to plan, invest and advocate, poor accountability for Crown and iwi investment outcomes. Data is critical infrastructure for Wairoa. A census model that cannot reliably count small Māori communities will entrench inequity rather than resolve it. We recommend the Bill not proceed until an independent review is completed, Māori Data Governance is embedded in legislation, and longterm funding is committed to iwi led data systems.