Under the banner of KTKO Ltd - a company owned by the four Ngai Tahu runanga to deal with non-notified resource consents - the chairmen were seeking a year-long joint work programme aimed at improving the way the runanga are consulted in relation to the Treaty of Waitangi, natural resource management and local government.
Te Runanga o Otakou chairman Edward Ellison told the council the runanga was invited to participate in discussions on issues such as Resource Management Act matters, but often the notice was too late.
"It's getting in front of those issues so we can identify where we think interest should be registered. It's a system of overcoming the logistical hurdles."
The runanga had entered into such a agreement with the Otago Regional Council, he said.
Mr Ellison said the work programme would include identifying opportunities for Ngai Tahu to contribute to council decision-making, enhancing its responsiveness and engagement with the council and ensuring it was aware and responsive to tangata whenua values, aspirations and priorities for the environment and the community.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden said the proposal could benefit the council, as it would only have to work with one body instead of dealing with eight separate runanga - including four from Southland.
