Local government’s Māori elected members are deeply concerned by the Government’s decision to remove Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements from the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill. Te Maruata, the national network of Māori elected members within Local Government New Zealand, wants the Government to reverse its decision before the Bills’ second reading. “Councils tell us that Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements provide a useful tool to support durable, long-term partnerships with iwi in a way that reduces uncertainty and ad hoc approaches. Dinnie Moeahu says Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements have been widely misunderstood by the public. “We want to be very clear that these agreements do not hand decision making power to iwi,” says Dinnie Moeahu.