To Advance and Promote Te Aitanga a Mahaki Iwi

Submission to the Gisborne District Council

on the Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP)

1                             Te Aitanga a Mahaki Trust

The Trust has established an Environmental Management Unit to:

1.      provide information and advice on environmental kaitiakitanga issues

2.      promote the Environmental Management Plan

3.      promote environmental education

4.      actively develop environmental plans and policies consistent with Te Aitanga a Mahaki tikanga.

2                             The Gisborne District Council (GDC)

The Gisborne region is administered by the GDC, a unitary authority, and its mission is "to manage and enhance the districts physical, social, cultural and economic wellbeing efficiently, effectively and equitably" and its role is defined in the Local Government Act 2002.

 It is responsible for the integrated management of natural and physical resources of their region and for controlling the impacts of land use within their district, including the preparation of district plans, and the determination of applications for land use and subdivision consent.  Environmental management is detailed in the Proposed Gisborne District Combined Regional Land and District Plan (CRLDP) and other environmental plans.

2.1                       LTCCP Consultation

Section 93 (6) of the LGA 2002 describes the purpose of a LTCCP.  Importantly, it provides for e) a basis for accountability to the community;' and 'an opportunity for participation by the public in decision-making processes on activities to be undertaken by Council.'

The 2004-2014 LTCCP includes six community outcomes desired by the Gisborne and East Coast communities. 

Of the six outcomes, the following points are of particular relevance to this submission:

1.         Vibrant Communities

1.1.           Our heritage and uniqueness is celebrated through the arts, culture and spirituality.

2.         Connected Communities

2.1.           People feel connected and part of communities, locally, nationally and globally.

2.2.            People have a link to their heritage.

3.         Prosperous Communities

3.1.           Communities are proud of their environment and willing and able to care for it for future generations.

4.         Safe and Healthy Haven

4.1.           Guardianship of our environment for future generations.

5.         Positive Leadership

5.1.           Positive stewardship and improvements in infrastructure promoting environmental sustainability.

5.2.            Individuals are responsible for their environment.

6.         Fair and Active Democracy

6.1.           People are inspired to actively participate in community affairs.

We note that:

The GDC recognises its obligation under the Local Government Act 2002, Section 40 1(i) policies for liaising with Maori and any memoranda or agreements with Maori (and specifics on how the local authority intends to discharge its obligations to Maori under sections 14, 81and 82)

and that

under its 2004 - 2007 Governance Statement; Partnerships with Maori, the GDC is committed to developing and maintaining positive working relationships with Tangata Whenua.

2                             Recommendations

The Te Aitanga a Mahaki Trust recommends that the Gisborne District Council formalises:

1.      our role as Kaitiaki of our rohe (Section 7(a), RMA 1991)

2.      the Te Aitanga a Mahaki Environmental Management Plan

Thank you for the opportunity to make a written submission on the LTCCP and we request an opportunity to present this submission in person.

Submission to the Gisborne District Council on the Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP)

Gisborne Herald: 10 June 2006

The council spent almost nine hours listening to 24 submitters put their case for a wide variety of issues as part of the long-term council community plan (LTCCP). 

It was so busy listening to the submitters that it had no time left to make any decisions on them.

Others putting their case on Thursday were the Gisborne Museum of Art and History Trust, the Tairawhiti branch of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, Tourism Eastland, the Friends of the Olympic Pool and forestry interests Ernslaw One and the Eastland Wood Council.

Pene Brown appeared for Te Runanga o Turanganui a Kiwa, saying that the LTCCP should be an opportunity for a real partnership with Maori based on the Treaty of Waitangi, while Ian Ruru asked the council to formalise Te Aitanga a Mahaki Trust's environmental management plan. 

Present Deputy Mayor Margaret Thorpe wanted the council to overhaul its committee structure and consider holding afternoon meetings so more business people would consider standing for council. 

Click here to request a copy of the Te Aitanga a Mahaki LTCCP Submission.