RANGITĀNE O WAIRAU CALLS FOR STRONGER PARTNERSHIP WITH COUNCIL
Rangitāne o Wairau has submitted to the Marlborough District Council’s Long Term Plan 2021-31 process, and proposes a number of initiatives targeted at encouraging Council to meet its obligations as a partner to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, building the capacity of Māori to contribute to Council’s decision-making processes, meeting the current and future needs of Māori in relation to local public services and regulatory functions and processes, and supporting events and activities that promote te reo Māori me ōna tikanga within the Marlborough community.
Rangitāne o Wairau General Manager Corey Hebberd says that the submission reflected the aspirations and desire of Rangitāne to continue to develop and maintain a strong partnership with the Council, whilst being able to exercise the Rangitāne values of rangatiratanga, kaitiakitanga, kotahitanga, manaakitanga and whanaungatanga as mana whenua in the Wairau.
“The New Directions for Resource Management in New Zealand Report identified the lack of adequate funding and support as one of the main reasons why resource management outcomes for mana whenua have not been delivered. Our submission requests that Council provide capability funding to support iwi participation in resource management processes. This approach is not uncommon, with 53 per cent of Councils across Aotearoa providing budgetary support for iwi/hapū participation in planning processes”
“We’re also calling on Council to add to its current grants programme, with a targeted Māori Cultural Initiatives Fund to support marae and papakāinga development and maintenance, Māori cultural programmes and further Māori inspired cultural artwork and design across the region”
“Rangitāne is also keen to continue to partner with Council on addressing sedimentation issues in the Marlborough Sounds. Sedimentation is affecting our coastal species, particularly the likes of pāua and kina. A thriving fishery allows us to undertake our cultural and customary practices and supports recreational and commercial activity too. We support Council to take a more proactive stance in addressing sedimentation issues in the region”
“Rangitāne also continues to engage with Council on issues in relation to the Blenheim Sewerage Treatment Plant. We do not support the status quo, which sees the discharge of treated sewerage into the Wairau River adjacent to Te Pokohiwi o Kupe”
Hebberd says that Rangitāne is also seeking Council support to deliver an iwi mapping project, which will record waahi tapu and sites of significance for Rangitāne in a central mapping platform that meets the needs of Rangitāne.
“Rangitāne also propose that Council provide support to iwi to map our sites of significance on a platform suitable for our needs, to enable us to better engage in Council processes and decision-making”
Hebberd says that Rangitāne also wishes to work with Council on addressing historical inaccuracies and misuse of te Reo Māori street names and catchments.
“Te Reo Māori is a taonga which we must protect. We propose that Council initiates a programme of work to reviewing all Māori street and catchment names across the region, with a view to rectifying these. Misspelling and misappropriating the language is an issue which we must resolve together”
“Rangitāne also expects to be engaged in the development of new street names across the region”
“Rangitāne is pleased with the progress we are making on working in partnership with the Marlborough District Council. We have seen strong engagement from the Mayor and Chief Executive on key projects and initiatives across the District. When we work in partnership, we are stronger together and will be in a strong position to deliver good outcomes for our people”
Ends
To read the full submission, click here.
For further information, contact Corey Hebberd, General Manager, Rangitāne o Wairau, 03 578 6180 or email manager@rangitane.org.nz