West Coast iwi are backing a call by Mayor of Westland, Bruce Smith, to disband the West Coast Conservation Board, because it is stacked with conservationists.
Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae and Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio together as Poutini Ngāi Tahu are calling on Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage to review the current board line-up.
Last week, Mr Smith called for the board to be disbanded, saying it historically had been "balanced" with representatives from industry on the Coast. However, he said that was no longer the case with the current appointees.
In a joint statement this morning, iwi chairmen Francois Tumahai and Paul Madgwick said iwi were dismayed at the calls of conservation groups to 'lock down' land on the Coast, including the Waitaha River catchment.
Ngāti Waewae chair Francois Tumahai. Photo: LDR
"Poutini Ngāi Tahu have rangatiratanga over the West Coast and are therefore kaitiaki," the iwi chairs said.
"Only Poutini Ngāi Tahu hold those kaitiakitanga responsibilities.
"We have been growing more and more concerned with the presence of conservationists on the board who do not have an understanding of our iwi and how our community works.
"These interest groups do not have the mandate of kaitiakitanga."
Conservation Board chairman Keith Morfett said the board had 11 members, four of whom were appointed under a National government; and two had come in as iwi reps.
Ms Sage said Mr Smith's attack on the work done by the West Coast Conservation Board was irresponsible and misplaced.
"It is disappointing that Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae and Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio have chosen to raise any concerns through the news media rather than with me directly," Ms Sage said.
"The decision on the Waitaha River hydro scheme was made by government not made by the Tai Poutini Conservation Board."
The minister also dismissed the call for a review of the board's membership.
"I continue to support the valuable work and role of the Tai Poutini-West Coast Conservation Board in carrying out their functions under the Conservation Act," she said.
* Disclosure: Paul Madgwick is the editor of the Greymouth Star, which employs the West Coast LDR. He took no part in the commissioning, writing or editing of this LDR story.
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