Article – David Hill – Local Democracy ReporterThe treaty partnership is top of the list in Environment Canterbury’s new strategic direction document, to provide some guiding principals for staff working on next year’s Long Term Plan. Councillors adopted the document at a council meeting on Wednesday [July 22] to provide guiding principles for staff working on the 2027/37 Long Term Plan. The importance of ‘‘the enduring partnership’’ with the region’s 10 Papatipu Rūnanga came through strongly in council workshops to develop the document, staff said. North Canterbury councillor John Faulkner said he initially questioned why the council needed to prepare a Long Term Plan. ECan had two Ngāi Tahu appointed councillors, following the passing of legislation by the previous Labour Government in 2022.