A tangata whenua perspective was required as an input to the development of the Franklin District Growth Strategy (DGS). The manner in which this input might be obtained was raised at a meeting with Iwi on 22nd February 2006. While Iwi were willing to participate, it was suggested that Council first review the many submissions and other inputs Iwi had made over the years that were relevant to strategy development rather than asking Iwi to rehearse all these matters again. Over the course of the project consultations were undertaken with Ngati Te Ata, Ngati Tamaoho, Ngati Paoa, Ngati Naho, Ngati Tahinga/Karewa, and the Huakina Development Trust.
The review went through two main stages:
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1.an examination of a range of documents held by the Council and the preparation of a preliminary report; and
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2.a critique of the preliminary report at hui and other meetings to identify and remedy errors of interpretation and omission and incorporate extra information.
The initial literature review examined a range of documents supplied by Council supplemented by research of secondary sources to elaborate a range of matters which complemented these documents. As such it was an eclectic collection of materials. It did not purport to represent information on behalf of tangata whenua or to be comprehensive.
The documents canvassed included both the Auckland and Waikato Regional Plans and related policy statements to which Iwi have made submissions as well as various inputs on resource management matters. Such is the history
since 1863 that tangata whenua inputs into the planning process relevant to the DGS have primarily been from a kaitiaki perspective rather than about specific Maori land (as there is so little left in the District). There is, nonetheless, a range of sites of special interest to tangata whenua to be considered.
Two of the most significant documents reviewed were the Waitangi Tribunal report on the Manukau Claim (for the historical context it provides) and the Iwi Management Plan for the Manuka Harbour. The latter has as its sole objective “The restoration and enhancement of the Manukau Harbour, its catchments, and the well-being of its people”. The Plan is also specific that this requires an holistic approach “that embraces environmental, spiritual, political, social,economic and cultural components” and that “The spiritual, social, political,cultural and economic needs of Waikato must be reflected and accorded importance within the management of the Manuka”.
In terms of the Iwi Management Plan the challenge for the DGS was take into account these matters raised in the context of the Manukau Harbour and to generalise them across the District. It also had to recognise that in Haddon vs Auckland Regional Council the Environment Court stated: “It would appear that the duty ‘to take into account’ indicates that a decision maker must weigh the matter with the other matters being considered and in making a decision, effect a balance between the matter at issue and be able to show he or she has done so.” In this respect, the provisions of Policy 1 related to discharges to water and Policy 3 related to the containment of urban growth were potentially among the more challenging.
Many of the documents reviewed focused on environmental and governance issues. There were, however, three sets of documents related more specifically to district growth issues:
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1.inputs into the District Growth Management Strategy (DGMS) from 1999;
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2.submissions on the Council’s Rural Plan Change process have also provided local information; and
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3.tangata whenua input to the consultation on the Community Outcomes.
The inputs to the DGMS and on the Rural Plan Change provide some clear direction in terms of the preferred character of growth, translating aspects of tikanga into the land use management context. The topics raised in consultation on the Community Outcomes have been reviewed and allocated, where possible to, to the outcome statements. This analysis suggests that many of the concerns raised at the two meetings are reflected to a greater or lesser extent in the community outcomes – although the match in some cases is modest. There are, however, a number of gaps related to governance and, to a lesser extent, to equity.
In terms of many of the environmental issues raised in the documents that were reviewed, Outcome 6.2.9 which states “Tangata whenua and Maori input is provided in designing and managing our natural and built environment” is clear enough. Council has since acknowledged this in the preparation of a structure plan for Pokeno which is now underway and is the first implementation of one of the development initiatives highlighted in the DGS.
The consultation with Iwi in November and December 2006 identified a range of materials not previously included in the analysis which provided further guidance to the study team in the development and assessment of the growth scenarios. The study process sought and received agreement from Iwi that the final version of the document was a reasonable representation of their views for the purposes of the district growth strategy (although it has wider relevance).
The main portion of the report is divided into four sections which move from the general to the specific:
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2.discusses the historical context the draft settlement on the Waikato-Tanui claims to the Waikato Rivers, and aspects of traditional beliefs, customs and values;
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3.examines matters of significance to Maori and related policies in regional planning documents for Auckland and the Waikato;
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4.reviews Iwi documents related to Franklin District including the “Waikato Iwi Management Plan, Manuka”, submissions on the DGMS, the Rural Plan Change and resource consent applications; and
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5.seeks to synthesise critical elements relevant to the District Growth Strategy and recommends follow up consultation.
