Environment Ngati Awa

2.3/2.2 GHZ AUCTION DISCUSSION DOCUMENT

This is the submission of Te Runanga o Ngati Awa (the Ngati Awa submission).

Legislative Background

Te Runanga o Ngati Awa was re-constituted under Te Runanga o Ngati Awa Act 2005.

The Ngati Awa Claims Settlement Act 2005 also refers. It is listed in Schedule 11 Acts that Include Statutory Acknowledgements in the Resource Management Act 1991.

Te Runanga o Ngati Awa is the Ngati Awa Governance Entity.

Its concerns and interests are represented in this submission.

Ngāti Awa Submissions

It is noted that no consultation on the abovementioned auction has been undertaken with Ngāti Awa.

It is also noted that notice of submissions was received on 11 September 2007, some three working days prior to the due date for lodgement of submissions.

This lack of consultation and short notice of the date by which submissions are due to be lodged is considered by Ngati Awa to be unfair and unreasonable.

Ngāti Awa therefore requests to be consulted about the proposal as soon as possible.

Te Runanga o Ngati Awa is a stalwart supporter of Radio Sun 98.4/96.9 FM in Whakatane.

Te Runanga o Ngāti Awa therefore identifies Radio Sun 98.4/96.9 FM as a potentially affected party.

Te Runanga o Ngāti Awa has developed policy in respect of airspace which is contained within the Draft Ngāti Awa natural Resources Management Strategy, an iwi planning document recognised as relevant by our iwi authority.

The following extract is therefore relevant to the proposed auction and forms an important part of our submission to the discussion document on the matter.

Airspace

The airspace above the Ngati Awa takiwa is a natural resource of significance to Ngati Awa. Ngati Awa has never ceded sovereignty or its authority in relation to the use and occupation of this essential natural resource. As such Ngati Awa must be consulted when activities relating to proposed changes, use or occupation of airspace are being considered.

Issues

Issue

The Ngati Awa relationship with the airspace above its traditional takiwa is not recognised by statutory agencies or the community.

Issue

The continuing lack of consultation with Ngati Awa about matters relevant to the use and occupation of airspace within the Ngati Awa takiwa results in adverse effects on the environment including the relationship of Ngati Awa with their natural and ancestral resources.

We therefore request to be consulted on the matter in Whakatane as soon as possible.

Kia ora

Beverley Hughes
MANAGER
for Chief Executive

cc General Manager
The Sun 98FM
PO Box 2090
WHAKATANE