New Zealand: The legal threat and the big opportunity in Māori engagement on climate change response
By Carmen Parahi
As local councils respond to the effects of climate change, they'll need to properly consider Māori interests, new research warns. Treaty breaches and litigation will follow if they don't.
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As a post Treaty settlement entity, the Te Arawa [a confederation of Māori] Lakes Trust has some legal authority over the restoration of the lakes in the Rotorua district.
[Nicki Douglas, Te Arawa Lakes Trust Environmental Manager] says they will try to do what they can themselves to mitigate and adapt to climate change but believes there is an obligation on the Crown, local and regional councils to consult with them and provide resources.
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Environmental law specialist and academic Catherine Iorns has just released the first-ever study on Treaty of Waitangi duties and climate change.
The paper warns councils and the Crown that any adaptation plans for coastal hazards and sea-level rise should include Māori interests. If they don't, there could be Treaty breaches and possible litigation.
At the moment, local and regional councils are making decisions based mainly on the Resource Management Act (RMA) and Local Government Act.
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