Meg Jerrard Maori carving
Photo by Meg Jerrard on Unsplash

Iwi leaders meet to discuss outdoor access legislation

The commission got a rare opportunity to talk with attendees at the Iwi Leaders’ Forum in Whanganui last month. The commission has been working with consultation company Tutira Mai on some of the recommendations in the 2019 Review of the Walking Access Act. Tutira Mai helped secure an invitation to visit the forum.

The independent review made a series of recommendations about changes to the law that would affect Māori. The commission was keen to talk about those recommendations with iwi leaders.

As a result of the presentation the Iwi Leaders’ Forum, the forum set up a subcommittee to look at the recommendations in the review. 

The commission is also receiving advice from the Forum subcommittee on changing its name to better reflect the work it does. 

Walking Access Commission Te Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa chief executive Ric Cullinane says it was humbling and a privilege to be offered the opportunity to engage with the iwi leaders that the forum represents.

“We know the iwi are dealing with wide-ranging important issues across all spheres of NZ life,” says Cullinane. “For a small crown agency like us, it is a privilege to have an opportunity to meet face-to-face. We know our work involves access to whenua – and that issue is dear to iwi.”

“When our legislation is amended to reflect the review recommendations, we want to make sure it happens in a way that best meets our Te Tiriti obligations and the aspirations iwi have for their whenua.”