Good and effective working relationships between tangata whenua and council

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Good and effective working relationships can be traced to the following actions and approaches by the council:

• The preparedness of the mayor, CEO and other councillors to meet with tangata whenua to review the nature and extent of issues that affect them. Where this occurs, it communicates the commitment of council to recognise and provide for tangata whenua involvement in the process.
• The seniority of staff involved in day-to-day contact with tangata whenua. High seniority affirms the mana and rangatiratanga of tangata whenua.
• The involvement of senior managers who can facilitate contacts within council, where different expertise is required. There is potential for managers to negotiate with managers of other sections of council to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome.
• The provision of information is regarded by tangata whenua as a willingness to share the benefits and status of the council in its position of senior partner.
• Staff access to and awareness of information already provided by tangata whenua. Frustration quickly sets in if council staff are clearly unaware of resolutions to previous issues and/or are obviously unfamiliar with specific reports that have canvassed the nature and extent of relationships between the parties.
• Appropriate behaviour within marae or hapu settings, with council representatives demonstrating their competence, accurate and informed positions.

Source: Extract from Report on Business Compliance Cost Project – Consultation with Tangata Whenua under the RMA, prepared for the Ministry for the Environment (October 2003)