April 05, 2020
Advisors no substitute for iwi
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The new chair of Te Wai Māori Trust says government agencies need to engage directly with iwi on environmental matters rather than an assortment of Māori advisors.
Lisa Te Heuheu replaces Ken Mair as the head of the trust which is responsible under the Māori Fisheries Settlement for advocating for Māori interests in the protection of freshwater fisheries species and environment.
She says the challenge continues to ensure the Māori voice is heard when agencies would prefer to set up advisory committees which may not reflect the treaty relationship.
“And it’s not to disrespect those Māori rangatira that have been chosen for those advisory committees, that’s not our intention at all, but if we are to have true engagement and Māori perspectives and understanding of matauranga, we do that by engaging iwi directly, and hapū,” she says.
Lisa Te Heuheu from Te Wai Māori Trust.
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