Environment Minister Smith wins Maori Party to RMA reform with iwi arrangements

Environment Minister Smith wins Maori Party to RMA reform with iwi arrangements
Paul McBeth
By Paul McBeth March 7 (BusinessDesk) - Environment Minister Nick Smith has won Maori Party support for an overhaul of the Resource Management Act with what he calls a "better framework" for iwi participation.  Parliament's local government and environment select committee reported back on the Resource Legislation Amendment Bill yesterday, which Smith touted as "the most comprehensive package of reform" to the RMA since it was implemented 25 years ago, although the announcement was lost in the fanfare surrounding Prime Minister Bill Engli...