Agriculture spokesperson for the Green Party Steve Abel says the Government’s move to scrap the Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements between councils and iwi works against the country’s interests.

“Local councils weren’t asking for it,” he says.

“Local councils actually really value and appreciate the relationships they have with local iwi.”

He says the change was not discussed ahead of time.

“I feel like the government has buckled to a kind of vested interest lobby rather than actually listen to what councils are saying.”

He is also critical of regulatory relief that could cost councils about $2 billion to compensate landowners for protecting biodiversity.

“It inverts the principle of the commons.”

He says the result will be more wetlands and forest cover lost.

CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch/listen or download the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app, available on Apple iOS and Android.