National MP for Kaikoura
stuartsmith.national.org.nz
I attended the Taxpayers Union’s ‘Stop Central Planning Committees’ meeting in Blenheim recently. Kudos to the Taxpayers Union for raising awareness about David Parker’s RMA reform bills which propose the establishment of 15 ‘Regional Planning Committees’ (RPCs). These RPCs – co-governed and required to give effect to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi – will significantly diminish the planning responsibilities of democratically elected councils.
Undoubtedly, the RMA needs reform, but these changes will only exacerbate the situation, especially the provisions for co-governance, which seem to be a step towards tribalism.
Initially promoted as enabling planning legislation, the RMA has proven to be disabling, causing costly delays which have been a source of frustration, and sand in the gears of our economy for too long. The requirement to consult with iwi, a convoluted process, raises questions about its purpose. Why should iwi be given priority over other affected parties? Are they always directly affected?
The consultation requirement with iwi is based on an interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi, which according to the Waitangi Tribunal “guarantees Maori the undisturbed possession of their properties, including their lands, forests and fisheries as long as they wished to retain them”. The fact is that this provision applies to all New Zealanders, regardless of ethnicity. We all share a connection with our land and waterways, so determining whose relationship is more important is impossible.
Aside from the equity concerns, the consultation provisions create uncertainty and unnecessary delays. The administration of these provisions paves a treacherous path, laying the foundation for self-interest and backroom deals unrelated to environmental concerns or resource use.
While it is easy to criticise councils, they are at least held to account via the ballot box every three years. This critical democratic right, however, will be taken away in favour of an extreme interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi, sending us down the separatist path where rights are determined by our ethnicity.
There is no doubt that Maori are more likely to have poor outcomes in health, education and crime statistics, but trying to address this through co-governance will simply not work.
Central planning, a hallmark of socialism, is founded on the belief that the state can allocate resources more efficiently than individuals. However, history has repeatedly demonstrated that it leads to the loss of personal freedoms and lower living standards. And I don’t want that. Do you?