The Dunedin City Council’s relationship with mana whenua could help it access millions of dollars tied to Three Waters reform.
However, the Government’s criteria for funding has been described as strange.
Applications open next week for 67 councils to pitch for a share of $500million as part of a scheme the Government announced in July last year to "support" local government while the transition is made to a new water services delivery system.
A second round of funding, from July 2024, is worth $1.5billion nationally.
The criteria could allow the Dunedin City Council to apply for support for projects as diverse as building the South Dunedin community library complex to helping the low-lying suburb adjust amid sea-level rise.
Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins highlighted the council would have to show evidence of genuine engagement with mana whenua, beyond appointments to council committees.
Requirements for the second funding round would go further — proposals would need to be co-designed with iwi/Maori.
Eligible projects should be implemented jointly with Maori from inception, documentation from the Department of Internal Affairs states.
"It’s another example of why the strength of our relationship with mana whenua is of critical importance to the work of council," Mr Hawkins said.
The $2billion package was announced last July, but detail about the application process has only been provided in the past week.
Dunedin city councillor Jim O’Malley said shifting expectations helped to illustrate why he had little faith in the reform programme.
"I don’t know where this has come from," Cr O’Malley said.
Critics of the reforms have been unhappy about what they see as councils losing influence over infrastructure.
Cr O’Malley called the funding package "distraction money" and said the rationale for it was strange.
"We lose direct control of $2.8billion of assets, but we can spend some money on playgrounds," he said.
Cr Andrew Whiley said the initial $500million would not go far when spread across 67 councils.
"It’s a bit like painting the house and putting in new carpets knowing that the bank is coming to repossess it."
Minister of Local Government Nanaia Mahuta said the reforms would save ratepayers money in the long term and councils could focus on "the wellbeing and aspirations of their communities".
The Dunedin City Council was "pre-allocated" just over $46million out of the $2billion.
