Northland council chair calls scrapping of iwi-council agreements 'despicable' over lack of consultation

Parliament's environment select committee has recommended axing all Mana Whakahono a Rōhe — formal agreements between iwi and councils under the RMA. Northland Regional Council chair Pita Tipene said he was not consulted and called the move "despicable" and "cowardly." Minister Chris Bishop said narrower iwi participation agreements would replace them.