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RNZ News
a day ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
New Plymouth councillor felt 'disdain' and 'contempt' at Treaty Principles Bill meeting
New Plymouth District Councillor Dinnie Moeahu. Photo: Supplied / NPDC A New Plymouth District Councillor says he felt treated with "disdain" and "contempt" at a meeting where the regional council voted againt submitting on the Treaty Principles Bill. A internal review has found there was agreement among councillors ahead of the December meeting to oppose making a submission on the bill and to curtail debate. It found the decision-making process inconsistent with standing orders, meeting protocols and broader principles of good governance, transparency and natural justice. The review said the consequences of the meeting were "severe", damaging the council's reputation, and resulted in a loss of trust and confidence from iwi partners. Dinnie Moeahu said his pre-approved deputation - a presentation given ahead of the meeting proper on an item in the agenda - was shut down. "The agenda item was made public for anybody to consider and I actually thought how they treated me was with disdain and contempt for me just wanting to speak. "As I was getting up to speak, a number of councillors decided that wasn't appropriate. "I felt like there was some clear bullying tactics from three elected members with regards to even having me speak and essentially I was shut down initially." Moeahu was later invited to speak when the agenda item was called up and gave the talk he intended. But when former council chair Charlotte Littlewood called for debate on the submission deputy chair and nine term veteran, Neil Walker, told council the bill was political and divisive and the TRC should leave it Parliament to sort out. Councillor Donald McIntyre promptly moved a motion, seconded by Walker, not to send the submission or debate it, which was won. Moeahu was left gobsmacked. "As you can read in the report that pre-determination and collusion that happened beforehand those elected members executed that superbly on the day which caught everybody off guard. He couldn't believe the behaviour of the regional councillors. "They are put in there to serve and what's highlighted in the report is their failure to understand their role as elected members. "They have statutory obligations to Māori and they say in their long term plan one of their objectives is to strengthen their relationship with Māori ... and they just shut it down with no discussion." Moeahu said he hope recommendations in the review - which included that councillors receive training on Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application to council work - would improve behaviour in the future. Taranaki Regional Councillor Neil Walker. Photo: Taranaki Daily News Walker hoped the review would put to an end to a messy eight month investigation. He conceded he didn't want the TRC to send a submission, but said the decision was not pre-determined. But Walker thought any suggestion of collusion was a bit harsh. "There would be occasion when we see our colleagues around council and out socially, and people have views and they just share them back and forth. "I don't consider that colluding, but we recognise that there were people who were upset and it's time to put the matter to bed. "As for colluding, that's a strong term. I think counsellors always talk about all sorts of things and you'd expect us to do that, wouldn't you?" Walker said the TRC wanted to work with Māori and if people were unhappy with the way things were done he was sorry for that. "I certainly didn't support Mr Seymour's bill. I never have and we now are in a position where that bill never went anywhere, and I'm pleased it didn't." Walker said he was open to doing some professional development on Te Tiriti o Waitangi as councillors did at the start of every new term. TRC chair Craig Williamson said there was no doubt the controversy had set back council-iwi relations. "It's been very damaging and it's set us back years in our relationship building and through the Treaty settlements we have to by law work closely with our iwi partners on just about everything we do." Williamson said he was relatively new to the role and had been working hard to rebuild relationships. "I think that the future is going to look a lot brighter than it did back in December." He said councillors had been caught off guard by how the meeting turned. "I'd never seen that particular motion used before where a debate can be quashed. I wasn't expecting it. "So, we're looking at something where if a meeting does get out of hand and everything gets a bit flustered, so to speak. Then we could take a break, have a cup of tea." Williamson said recommendations in the review offered an opportunity for councillors to learn from their mistakes. "When I first stepped into the role as a councillor, there was no induction for me. I turned up to a meeting and that was the start of it. "So, I think it's really important that there is an induction conducted for all councillors, which is inclusive and thorough and everybody gets a good grip on the role that they've been elected to." Councillors will consider the review and whether to adopt its recommendations on 5 August. Dinnie Moeahu was due to speak at that meeting. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Kahungunu Goes To The World Indigenous Peoples Week At Expo 2025, Osaka
Press Release – Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc The week-long platform will include targeted roundtable discussions, high-impact panels and a programme that will explore how Indigenous worldviews contribute to solutions for global challengesembedding culture in commerce, conservation, health, … Over the next two days, a delegation of around 80 iwi representatives from around the country and interested Kahungunu whānau members are heading over to Japan to participate in the 'World Indigenous Peoples Week' of the World Expo Osaka, 2025. Te Aratini is the name of the Aotearoa part of this kaupapa. Among the Aotearoa ambassadors will be Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated (NKII) representatives Bayden Barber (Chair), Chrissie Hape (Chief Executive), and Danielle Keil (Special Events coordinator). Te Aratini was initiated in 2021 as the first ever Festival of Indigenous and Tribal Ideas at a World Expo. It was co-hosted by the Iwi Chairs Forum and the New Zealand government at Expo 2020 Dubai. Te Aratini brings together Indigenous and Tribal peoples from around the world to share their knowledge, cultures, and experiences, with the aim of fostering new connections, partnerships, and relationships. The name 'Te Aratini' translated means 'the multitude of pathways' reflecting the idea of converging pathways and the enduring connections between Indigenous peoples. Hosted at the Australia Pavilion, the programme titled 'Respecting the Past to Design the Future' features prominent voices including Australia's first Ambassador for First Nations Peoples, Canada's High Commissioner to NewZealand, and Ngahiwi Tomoana, Aotearoa's Kaihautū of Te Aratini. 'Indigenous Trade and relationship building will be a key focus for the trip' – Says Barber, 'Of particular interest to Ngāti Kahungunu will be renewable energy, technology trends such as AI, food production and fishing. Nissui Corporation are a 50% shareholder in Sealords with Ngāti Kahungunu owning the other 50%, so we will be looking at enhancing that relationship as they have a base in Osaka'. 'Kahurangi Performing Arts will be leading the cultural performances for the Aotearoa delegation with former NKII Chair Ngahiwi Tomoana playing a key role in organising and leading the delegation so there will be a strong Kahungunu presence'. The week-long platform will include targeted roundtable discussions, high-impact panels and a programme that will explore how Indigenous worldviews contribute to solutions for global challenges—embedding culture in commerce, conservation, health, and social equity. It brings together Māori innovators, cultural leaders, entrepreneurs, and artists to engage in dialogue, trade opportunities, and forge long-term partnerships. Together, the roundtables and panels offer a compelling arc. The roundtables provide space for Indigenous leaders to shape practical strategies in finance, infrastructure, trade, and future Te Aratini leadership. At the same time, the panels elevate the broader narrative by positioning Indigenous Peoples as agents of strategic transformation. Ngahiwi Tomoana serves as the esteemed Kaihautū (leader/director) of Te Aratini and is a globally respected advocate for Māori economic development and Indigenous engagement. He previously chaired the National Iwi Chairs Forum's trade and economic development arm and held leadership of Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated for 26 years.
NZ Herald
7 days ago
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Elation as Whanganui gets voice in fast-track seabed mining decision
A decision on the application will be made by a panel created for the purpose. Whanganui councillor Charlotte Melser, who opposes Taranaki seabed mining, said the council now had the opportunity to influence the decision. 'It means our foot is in the door to have our say about how this proposal would negatively impact our district. I was elated,' she told Local Democracy Reporting. It was critical for the council to have a voice in the fast-track process because the legislation provided limited opportunities for public input, she said. Under the act, only relevant local authorities, identified iwi authorities and selected others can make written comments on applications. 'It cuts out the voices of community, scientists, environmentalists, divers – some of the people that know that marine area better than anyone,' Melser said. Whanganui councillor Charlotte Melser says it is crucial for the council to have its say about how a South Taranaki seabed mining proposal would negatively impact Whanganui. Photo / Tuakana Te Tana (single use only) 'We've had to fight tooth and nail just to get this far because Whanganui is not directly in the project zone.' TTR wants to extract up to 50 million tonnes of seabed material a year. It would recover an estimated 5 million tonnes of vanadium-rich titanomagnetite concentrate and then dump unwanted sediment back into the sea. Its application says the project would bring regional benefits, including 305 jobs with the miner and port upgrades at New Plymouth and Whanganui. TTR withdrew from an environmental hearing to apply for marine consents via the new fast-track approvals regime. The councils named as relevant local authorities can nominate a representative to the decision-making panel, provide written comments on the application and speak about those comments if a hearing is held. They met iwi, TTR and the expert panel's convenor, Jennifer Caldwell, on July 7 to discuss the expertise needed on the panel and the timing of its decision-making. Whanganui council chief executive David Langford summarised his council's position in a letter to Caldwell before the meeting. The key concerns were environmental, particularly the negative impact of the sediment plume, which would affect the Whanganui district; cultural, particularly the conflict of the proposal with Treaty obligations and settlements; and economic, specifically the adverse impact of the proposal on the district. 'Our council would like to emphasise the need for expertise to consider the potential economic disbenefit of the proposal with regards to its conflict with offshore wind farming in the Taranaki Bight.' Whanganui District had been identified as one of the best locations in the world for wind energy, and the council was pursuing opportunities for renewable energy investment, including offshore wind farming, Langford said. 'Our view is that this one project could stand in the way of other projects which would not only provide significant economic benefits for our district (and beyond), but also better align with the Government's strategic objectives around climate, energy and industrial transformation goals (for example, to double New Zealand's renewable electricity production by 2050).' The scale and nature of the proposed extraction, along with the resuspension of seabed sediments, could affect ecological and cultural features that each had a potential economic impact, he said. The complex and contentious nature of the application would mean a considerable amount of time would be required to reach a decision. 'Not only is the fast-track process and its underpinning legislation new, but the proposed mining activity is also a world first.' It would be important to include the council throughout the process. 'We do not believe we should be precluded from any step of this process on the basis that our council has filed a motion opposing the project – our relevance remains, regardless of our position.' In December last year, Melser's motion opposing the project won the unanimous support of fellow councillors. A public-excluded meeting of Taranaki Regional Council was expected to decide this week on a collective council nomination to the panel. Caldwell is expected to appoint a panel by late July. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
7 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Turning Waste Into Wins: Thirteen Local Projects Supported With $60K In QLDC Funding
Through its Waste Minimisation Community Fund (WMCF), Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is once again backing passionate locals who are taking action to reduce waste and promote the sustainable use of resources. The fund supports projects that cut waste, recover valuable materials, and contribute to a more sustainable future for the district and its communities. This year, thirteen local projects are being supported to help reduce waste across the district, including initiatives such as low-waste parenting workshops, retirement village education programmes, sustainable party packs to loan from a local toy library, and the reuse of surplus building materials. 'What makes this year's projects so exciting is their strong focus on practicality and community impact,' said QLDC Sustainability Advisor Emma Brockie. 'We've been really impressed with the hands-on solutions proposed to address a variety of waste challenges.' The WMCF is an annual contestable fund open to community groups, schools, businesses, iwi/Māori organisations, and individuals. It includes $50,000 to support community action and behaviour change projects, and $10,000 toward commercial waste minimisation, sponsored by WM New Zealand. This year's round saw 20 applications submitted over five weeks, requesting close to $200,000 in total. A panel of QLDC staff and an elected member carefully assessed each application to ensure alignment with fund goals. Thanks to the WMCF, the Wakatipu Toy Library will soon offer reusable party packs with themed decorations, tableware, and age-appropriate toys, making kids' parties more affordable, fun, and low-waste. Adaptive Snowsports Whakatipu Charitable Trust is using WMCF funding to repurpose ski clothing left behind by guests visiting local ski fields in Queenstown into unique skirts that will be practical and fun. The skirts will be created from ski clothing, sleeping bags, toggles and ties from gloves, elastic from googles, and anything else that can be reused, upcycled and reimagined and kept out of landfill. This year's WMCF is also supporting Waste Education for Retirement Villages, a series of fun and practical sessions led by educator Kate Fenwick. Designed for older adults, the sessions offer simple, age-appropriate ways to reduce household waste. Topics include reusable incontinence products, food waste reduction, recycling, and low-waste living. 'These community-led projects empower people to take simple, everyday action that collectively moves us closer to becoming a zero-waste district,' said Ms Brockie. For more about the Waste Minimisation Community Fund, visit FURTHER INFORMATION | Kā pāroko tāpiri: 2025/26 Waste Minimisation Community Fund recipients: · Adaptive Snowsports Whakatipu Charitable Trust - Snoskirz · Aspire Preschool and Nursery - Little Sprouts, Big Impact: Composting for a Zero Waste Future · CaliWoods Limited - Natural, Low-Waste Parenting: Workshops for Expecting and New Parents · Cameron Tippett - Recycled Filament Project · Dripping Bowl - Glass bottle return scheme; For more than just milk · Ian Fitzpatrick - The Trash Goblin · KingsView School - Compost System for our School · Merino Muster Limited - Sip smart - coming to your aid at the Muster · Natacha Murphy - Sustainable Cycles: Making Reusable Period Products Accessible · Protect Our Winters New Zealand Incorporated - Sustainable Slopes: Repair, Swap, and Learn · Wakatipu Toy Library - Sustainable Party Packs · Waste-Ed with Kate - Waste Minimisation Education in QLDC Retirement Villages · Women's Shed Aotearoa (formally known as Women's Shed Queenstown) - 'From Offcut to Opportunity': Diverting Surplus Building Materials through Reuse and Skill-Building
NZ Herald
24-07-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Cafe owner protests Punakaiki parking charges
DoC is aiming to launch a pilot programme in October at Punakaiki, Franz Josef and White Horse Hill at Aoraki Mt Cook. Project manager John Dore told the Board that DoC had serious budget pressures including a 30% shortfall in funding for its visitor network and a huge deficit in the amount available for biodiversity. 'For protection of all endangered species we have a budget of $300 million but a need of $2.3 billion,' Dore said. Climate events in the last few years had added $90m in costs, he added. Paid parking was a tool used internationally in nature parks and would help manage overcrowding at busy sites, he told the board. But Parrett said the move would turn public conservation land into a Wilsons-style parking lot, and urged the board to oppose it. 'However you label it, it's a National Park entry fee. It contravenes the National Parks Act and it diminishes DoC's social licence to operate.' A business owner says parking fees will disadvantage local people who call in for a coffee. Photo / LDR There were no free parks at Punakaiki because they had been removed to make room for the new Visitor Centre development and people would have no option but to pay to walk around the Pancake Rocks, Parrett said. Unlike Franz Josef or Aoraki Mt Cook, Punakaiki was not a tourist destination but a stop-off attraction for people driving the scenic coast road, and, for most of the year, there was no congestion or capacity problem in the carpark, he said. 'Parking fees will disadvantage local people who call in for a coffee or to stretch their legs, and we don't want this,' he said. While DoC owned the land, taxpayers had funded the $45 million Dolomite Point Visitor Centre development and the building was gifted by the last Government to manawhenua, NgatiWaewae, who now leased office space back to DoC. The public had paid for this development and costs should be kept low, he said. 'I am surprised that the iwi has supported the paid parking trial … unless they stand to benefit from it,' Parrett said. If people had to pay for parking they might be less likely to pay for Ngati Waewae's interactive visitor experience inside, he suggested. Ngati Waewae's representative on the Conservation Board, Francois Tumahai, objected. 'I disagree with everything you've said. The cost of the building was not $45 million and we're not getting a cent from the project. In the early days we suggested we might provide [parking] wardens … that's it.' Parrett suggested it would be good if the iwi put out a statement to that effect in the interests of transparency. The iwi leader responded: 'You're the one causing all the grief - you put it out.' Board chairperson Dr Mike Legge closed off the discussion and thanked Parrett for his contribution to the public forum. The Dolomite Point Visitor Centre, funded by the Provincial Growth Fund, was budgeted to cost $26 million but the project - including the new carparks - received a funding boost of $15m in 2023 and cost a total of $40.9m. The paid parking trial, including charging technology and upgrades to carparks at the three sites, is being funded by $3.8m from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. DoC plans to release its pricing strategy early next month and hold public drop-in sessions at Punakaiki, Franz Josef and Aoraki in mid-August. Submissions close on August 26 for Punakaiki and September 30 for Aoraki. - RNZ
