Full Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education, Issue ...

92Davis and Threlfallby regional and district planners and resourceconsents processors, (b) limited Maori politicalrepresentation and active roles in planningdepartments in regional and local governments,(c) lack of ability to formulate information aboutthe Maori perspective in a manner that can beconsidered within the existing legal framework,(d) lack of coherent advocacy on the part of someMaori groups, and (e) limited economic resourcesfor Maori participation (Mutu 2002, Tunks 2002,Tipa 2006). Others contend that this is also dueto lack of true partnership by the “Crown” calledfor by the treaty and section 8 of the ResourceManagement Act, for example. Consultation isundertaken with the Maori as stakeholders ratherthan “partners” or “co-managers,” or in the caseof rightful “owners of water” (Tunks 2002, Turia2006).At the local decision-making level that is,regional and local (district or city) councils,development of practical tools are underway tohelp incorporate Maori cultural issues formally intodecision-making on terms that local governmentcan more readily consider. A Cultural Health Indexfor streams and rivers was devised. In addition, aCultural Opportunity Matrix is under developmentto enable the Maori to participate in helpingidentify preferred flow regimes for waterways ofsignificance (Tipa 2006, Tipa and Teirney 2006a,2006b).Thus a framework does exist to address Maoriissues in New Zealand. A breach still existsregarding “Crown” responsibilities under the Treatyof Waitangi and the Maori role in ownership andmanagement of water and other resources. Stepsare being taken to better incorporate the Maoriperspective and role in resource management.Public ConsultationSignificant public consultation and stakeholderinput forms the cornerstone of existing legislation.For example, local councils are currentlypresenting Long Term Council Community Plansto constituents (Government of New Zealand2004). The Long Term Council Community Plancouches investment in water infrastructure andthe environment for instance, alongside othergovernment services like libraries and footpaths.Long Term Council Community Plan feedbackwas completed in mid-2006 and is being incorporatedinto local government programs, helping set budgetenvelopes and allocation among various services.Furthermore, development of regional policystatements, regional plans, and district plansinvolve significant public input. Generally, focusgroups and public working groups are formed toparticipate in formulation of the statements andplans. Once draft statements or plans are published,a period exists for the public and interested partiesto comment and/or protest particular aspects.Objections are reviewed and, where possible,modifications are made prior to publication offinal statements or plans. Various methods areused to broach objections, including facilitatedpublic meetings, direct negotiation, arbitration,and mediation. A last resort is referral to a specialEnvironment Court (Somerville 2004). For issuesreaching the Environment Court, final resolutionmay take many years.Resource consents such as water right permits,granted under the Resource Management Act byregional and district councils, also involve publicparticipation and review (Randerson 1997, Harris2004, Government of New Zealand 2005). Theconsents can involve objections and similarfacilitated dispute resolution techniques.Financing IWRMFinancing of IWRM activities reflects acombination of resource consent user charges,general regional and local council rates, andnational initiatives, which differ from regionto region and local council to local council. Inthe Auckland Region, activities associated withIWRM are funded by rates levied by the differentlocal councils (seven within the region) and by theAuckland Regional Council. Large rate increaseshave occurred in recent years to fund largeinfrastructure projects and differed investment.The increases have been met with significant ratepayer opposition, although in the end these rates arepaid. In the Otago Region, rates are supplementedby Ports of Otago revenue and therefore reduce thecontributions required by rate payers.Wet Weather Quality Management in theAuckland RegionThe Auckland Region lies on the North IslandUCOWRJOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY WATER RESEARCH & EDUCATION