11411 (2026). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform

11411 (2026). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform: What consideration, if any, has been given to the position of iwi and hapū without settled Treaty claims under the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill?

Hon Chris Bishop: The Bill's provisions for Māori and iwi participation apply to all iwi authorities and are not limited to groups with Treaty settlements. A group’s settlement status does not affect its ability to participate in the processes established by the Bills. For example, the system goals include providing for all Māori interests, not just PSGEs. For groups that have reached the Deed of Settlement stage but are yet to progress to final settlement, clause 9 requires the Crown to work with those groups to seek agreement on how settlement redress or arrangements will operate with the same or equivalent effect to the greatest extent possible under the Bills.