The controversial law change would give three ministers — Chris Bishop, Simeon Brown and Shane Jones — the ability to consent developments whether or not their approval is recommended by an expert panel.
Ngāi Tahu on Thursday confirmed it had proposed ‘‘a couple of projects’’ for consideration under the fast-track process.
But it still had concerns about the Bill and would be presenting them at a select committee hearing on Monday.
Te rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu kaiwhakahaere Justin Tipa said to protect the natural environment and iwi rights, the Bill must strike a balance between progression and preservation.
The Bill did not contain a clause in relation to Treaty principles, which was a concern, Mr Tipa said.
‘‘Upholding Treaty settlements is not a tick-box exercise.
‘‘The overarching Treaty settlement provision does not on its own provide sufficient recognition of the Ngāi Tahu Settlement and our status as tangata whenua in our takiwā [regions].’’
Ngāi Tahu was prepared to partner with the Crown in response to the Bill failing to uphold the Treaty.
Mr Tipa acknowledged the country’s infrastructure deficit, but said it should not be used as an excuse to subvert Treaty settlements or environmental safeguards.
‘‘The legislation must be balanced, ensuring the benefits are not only immediate, but sustainable.
‘‘We cannot sacrifice the long-term sustainability of our natural resources for short-term economic gains.’’
Ngāi Tahu and its 18 papatipu rūnanga (sub-tribes) were a part of an intricate network of statutory roles and responsibilities, involving a number of different pieces of legislation relevant to the fast-track Bill, he said.
In the Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act, the Crown committed to honouring the rangatiratanga [self-determination] of the iwi and its takiwā, he said.
The settlement gave Te Waipounamu (the South Island) a unique statutory context, creating one central iwi authority over a large defined takiwā.
‘‘The takiwā of Ngāi Tahu is vast and contains almost two-thirds of the country’s conservation estate.’’
He said without providing for Ngāi Tahu’s unique statutory context or for appropriate environmental safeguards, the Bill would likely lead to ‘‘conflict and contestation at every turn’’.
‘‘This benefits no-one.’’
The Bill’s failure to recognise the rights, interests, and responsibilities of Ngāi Tahu around decision-making in its takiwā undermined the rangatiratanga guaranteed in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and affirmed in the Treaty Settlements, he said.
To ensure the rangatiratanga of Ngāi Tahu was upheld, it would support its papatipu rūnanga to participate in the operation of the fast-track processes.
Mr Tipa said progress and economic development required collaboration between iwi and the government across the regions.
