Operative Waikato Regional Policy Statement (October 2000)

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3  Significant Resource Management Issues, Objectives, Policies and Methods

3.15  Heritage

3.15.3 Maori Heritage

Principal Reasons for Adopting: The relationship of Maori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral lands, water, sites, waahi tapu and other taonga must be recognised and provided for as a matter of national importance under the RMA. Therefore it is important that sites with heritage value for Maori are protected from accidental or intentional damage or abuse. This is particularly true with some waahi tapu sites where the precise locality of certain features is carefully guarded information.

Seek to avoid accidental or intentional damage or interference to heritage resources of significance to Maori.

1. Through district plans and resource consents and in accordance with tikanga Maori, provide for the protection of identified significant heritage resources, while recognising the right of tangata whenua not to publicly identify all significant heritage resources.
   
2. Provide information and practical guidance to resource users on the significance of heritage resources to tangata whenua and strongly encourage applicants to consult with the appropriate tangata whenua groups prior to submitting applications for resource consents.
   
3. In consultation with tangata whenua, territorial authorities, and other interested parties identify and make appropriate provision for sites and areas of Maori spiritual and cultural value where public access should be restricted.
   
4. Investigate delegation or transfer of functions, powers and duties to iwi for the administration of heritage resources, and where appropriate undertake such delegation or transfer.
   
5. Encourage territorial authorities and consent holders to notify relevant iwi authorities and cease work in areas where unidentified burial grounds or waahi tapu sites are disturbed or destroyed.

Section 2.1 states the broad issues which are of resource management significance to tangata whenua, and objectives and policies to address those issues. It is, however, considered appropriate to include policies in relation to the protection of heritage sites of value to Maori in this section, to provide for integrated management within the document.

The effects of the Region’s continued growth and development on the relationship of tangata whenua to their ancestral taonga are significant. Adverse effects from this growth and development are the inability of tangata whenua to manage their taonga according to tribal customs and preferences, and the widespread loss of natural and cultural heritage values. Therefore it is necessary to put in place measures to promote the protection of these heritage resources.

Policy One provides for the protection of Maori heritage resources by ensuring that accidental or intentional damage or interference is avoided, remedied or mitigated. The means of implementing this policy rely on methods which include the identification and protection of Maori heritage sites of significance, consultation over resource consent sites, restriction of public access and investigation of transfer of powers to iwi.

Identification of Maori heritage resources has, in the past, lead to accidental and intentional interference and destruction. For these reasons iwi must be given the right not to identify sites unless an appropriate system is put in place by regional and district councils to deal with such sensitive information. It is also recognised that in some circumstances the protection of these heritage values is best carried out by tangata whenua and appropriate measures should be put in place that promote transfer of power.

1. Protection and enhancement of relationships of tangata whenua with their taonga.
   
2. Iwi satisfied that the heritage resources valued by Maori are protected.

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Footnotes

1. See Appendix 4: Criteria for Determining Significance of Natural and Cultural Heritage Resources.