Since the development of the 2018–21 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP), we have made significant improvements in building stronger relationships with Māori and recognising the role of Māori as a Treaty of Waitangi partner.
We have:
- launched Te Ara Kotahi (our Māori strategy)
- strengthened our Te Mātangi (Māori Partnerships team) with the appointment of regional Pou Ārahi
- developed Hononga ki te Iwi (our Māori engagement framework) to support a more consistent approach
- embedded the consideration of te ao Māori into our investment decision making.
This work means we are better positioned for more meaningful engagement with Māori during preparation for the 2024–27 NLTP.
Work has already been done to identify existing opportunities and relationships to start our conversations with Māori, and how we can better involve them in the decision-making process relating to the development of the land transport system. There is still more work to do in this space, to establish the right hui, forums and other opportunities where we can connect with Māori and have the right conversations across Aotearoa.
Six actions have been identified for the next three years. These are:
- Ensuring sufficient resourcing to inform and educate iwi/hapū on what the NLTP is and why it’s critical they engage in the process.
- Targeted communications with iwi to build knowledge and understanding of opportunities for input.
- Working closer with regional councils, Regional Land Transport Committees (RTCs) and others on a joint approach for Māori engagement.
- engaging an independent Māori adviser to provide a te ao Māori lens across the NLTP development process.
- Adopting measurable expectations of RTCs to provide more meaningful engagement in the development of the 2024–27 Regional Land Transport Plans (RLTPs).
- Establishing a Māori events calendar to ensure we are across all regional touchpoints to maximise participation opportunities.
