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Resource Management Act changes look to surge ahead, despite Greens' outrage

Author
Frances Cook,
Publish Date
Thu, 10 Nov 2016, 5:31AM
Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei (Getty Images)
Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei (Getty Images)

Resource Management Act changes look to surge ahead, despite Greens' outrage

Author
Frances Cook,
Publish Date
Thu, 10 Nov 2016, 5:31AM

Changes to the RMA look set to surge ahead, despite the Green Party blasting the changes as a 'constitutional outrage'.

National and the Maori Party have struck a deal, meaning a major overhaul of the resource consent process can now go ahead.

Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei said the legislation gives the Government the power to green light as much development as it wants, and the Maori Party should never have agreed to it.

"They have given away the rights of New Zealanders across the board, including Maori, to have a say over what happens with their environment," she said.

Turei said the changes will put the environment at risk.

"A Government that is committed to economic development over the protection of natural resources can make decisions that will undermine our natural resources and the ability for future generations to make decisions over them."

ACT leader David Seymour said more consultation is nothing to celebrate.

"It's going to mean private property owners have more people they have to consult, and it's particularly negative for Maori, because it's Maori that suffer from a shortage of housing."

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