University of Waikato Academic Examines Impact of RMA Overhaul on Te Tiriti and Kaitiakitanga

On Monday, 28 September 2026, Associate Professor Linda Te Aho from the University of Waikato joined Radio Waatea to discuss the significant overhaul of Aotearoa New Zealand’s environmental and planning laws. The new Planning and Natural Environment legislation, which replaces the three-decade-old Resource Management Act, passed its third reading this month, marking a pivotal shift in how the nation manages its resources. Speaking from the School of Law, Politics and Philosophy, Associate Professor Te Aho examined how the new regime might influence Te Tiriti rights, environmental protection, and the practice of kaitiakitanga. While the Government maintains that the new system will simplify planning and support housing and infrastructure development, it has also stated that the reforms are designed to retain protections for Treaty settlements and Māori interests. However, the scale of these changes has prompted important questions regarding Māori participation in decision-making processes over whenua and wai. According to reporting by Waatea News, the debate extends beyond simple administrative changes, focusing instead on how Te Tiriti rights and responsibilities are practically reflected in long-term environmental decisions. The discussion highlighted the ongoing importance of environmental safeguards and the recognition of kaitiakitanga within the new legal framework. For many Māori communities, the focus remains on ensuring that the rights of mana whenua and the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi are upheld for future generations as the new planning system takes effect.