Jane Nees BOP Regional Councillor www.janenees.co.nz

Last week, some regional councillors and staff took a two-day tour of the Eastern Bay of Plenty to look at issues, and actions underway to address them.

It was also an opportunity to cement relationships and we met with representatives of the Whakatane and Opotoki district councils and with members of major iwi – Ngati Manawa, Ngati Whare, Ngati Awa, Tuwharetoa, Ngai Tuhoe and Whakatohea.

The first four iwi are partners with the regional council and Whakatane District Council in the recently established Rangitaiki River Forum – a co-governance entity for the river established as part of a Treaty settlement agreed with the Crown. The forum is developing a Rangitaiki River document which will contain provisions to protect and enhance the wellbeing of the river and its environs.

During our visit with Ngai Tuhoe in Taneatua, a relationship protocol was signed cementing an agreement between the regional council and Ngai Tuhoe to work more closely together following their agreement on a deed of settlement with the Crown in March. Ngai Tuhoe has admirable aims – no unemployment and no iwi members on benefits.

Treaty settlements are very significant in the Bay of Plenty. Maori make up about 27 per cent of the population and about 33 per cent of land is Maori-owned. The region has at least 36 iwi, more than 200 hap? and more than 260 marae. To date, the Bay of Plenty has achieved eight comprehensive Treaty settlements, six iwi have signed deeds of settlement and another 11 claims are being progressed. A feature of the settlements, are that they are agreed by the Crown, and then passed over to local and regional government to implement – adding significant cost to local government.

If you have any views on this or any other issue, please contact me: neesj@xtra.co.nz or ring me on 07 579-5150. Or you can check out my website at: www.janenees.co.nz