Council hones in on Treaty

The regional council has created a committee to consider its Tiriti o Waitangi obligations in relation to all decisions.

The Tiriti o Waitangi Komiti is the first council committee specifically focused on upholding Treaty obligations.

It was established by unanimous resolution at the first Greater Wellington Regional Council meeting of the term yesterday.

It will be a full-council committee so all regional councillors will take part.

Chairperson of the new committee, Porirua-Tawa constituency councillor Hikitia Ropata, said it was a bold and necessary ‘‘first step towards a stronger relationship with mana whenua’’.

The new committee would ensure tikanga and mātauranga Māori were built into council decisions ‘‘rather than afterthoughts’’, she said.

The council also resolved to pay Hikitia Ropata – who will chair the committee – the same as the other whole-council committee chairpersons, Thomas Nash and Penny Gaylor.

Greater Wellington chairperson Daran Ponter said the new committee would help the council to take the next step towards good outcomes for mana whenua.

The full committee structure and remuneration for councillors was set at this first meeting.

‘‘This structure recognises the environment and climate at the heart of everything we do. As a regional council we are the environment protection authority, public transport agency, the river control authority, bulk water provider, the park ranger, pest controller, harbour master, major infrastructure provider, and the port owner,’’ Ponter said.

Success in the council’s role would come from partnership with iwi and collaboration with other councils, he said. There was a need for deeper understanding of the region, particularly in rural areas.

‘‘With nearly three-quarters of our region being rural, Greater Wellington must double down on our understanding of the challenges facing the rural sector and how climate change and environmental outcomes can be achieved for all parts of the region.’’