What else does The Act say about engaging with Māori?

The Local Government Act 2002 contains a number of provisions that relate to Māori and the Treaty of Waitangi. References to the provisions in the sections referred to below are contained within the Act.

References to how councils should engage with Māori groups in the Local Government Act 2002 may be broadly grouped under the following:

The relationship to Māori culture and traditions

The relationship of Māori and their culture and traditions with their land, water, sites, wāhi tapu, valued flora and fauna, and other taonga must be taken into account when a council is making an important decision involving land or a body of water (this is similar to but applies to actions outside the RMA requirements on councils when taking decisions under the Resource Management Act 1991). (see section 77 (1)(c))

Opportunities to contribute

Councils should provide Māori, and tauiwi (all other members of the public), with opportunities to contribute to council decision-making processes. (see section 14 (d))

Processes to contribute

Councils should develop and maintain ways for Māori to contribute to council decisions. Councils should also consider ways they can help build Māori capacity to contribute to council decision-making. (see section 81)

Develop Māori capacity to contribute

The ways in which councils intend to develop Māori capacity to contribute to council decisions (see above), over the ten-year period of the Long Term Plan (LTP), must be detailed in their Long Term Plans. (see Clause 5 of Schedule 10)