Just how much influence does Ngāi Tahu have?

Planning consultants Tim Ensor and Gerard Willis testified in the High Court that tangata whenua, especially Ngāi Tahu, hold significant influence over freshwater policy and decisions, emphasizing their involvement in resource consent processes and plan-making. While Ngāi Tahu argued for a new regime recognizing their entitlements, the effectiveness of current processes in ensuring their input was questioned by Ngāi Tahu witness Edward Ellison. Despite examples of influence cited by Ensor, such as membership on committees and cultural values directives, the declaration sought by Ngāi Tahu for recognition of rangatiratanga over freshwater highlights ongoing challenges and frustrations faced by the iwi in freshwater planning processes.

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