31 January 2008
Tasman District Mayor Richard Kempthorne today expressed concern about the implications of the Waitangi Tribunal claim lodged recently on behalf of Te Atiawa Ki Te Tau Ihu. The Claim challenges the legislation that gives local government the responsibility of allocating rights to water.
Mayor Kempthorne said that the claim is a fundamental challenge to the Resource Management Act and the functions that Regional Councils have and have had since 1967.
“Water is a public resource and I am certain that the vast majority of the Tasman community considers that management of water should remain in the whole community’s hands via a democratically elected Council” said Mayor Kempthorne.
“For iwi to assert that Council is not managing water in a way that looks after their interests is not correct. In relation to Maori perpetual lease land around Motueka, the Council has had in place since 1992 a reservation of water to ensure this land has continued access to water in the event the current lease arrangements expire and control of the land reverts back to Maori. “
The Council has decided to raise its concerns with the Prime Minister, Minister of Treaty Negotiations, and Minister for the Environment in the knowledge that the Crown will have to respond to the Claim.
“We accept that Maori are users of water and it is important that productive land has access to good quality water in sufficient quantity. We believe that Tasman District Council has an excellent track record when it comes to managing water and we are committed to doing this on behalf of all users, the whole community, and the environment generally.”
|
