Months ago, Hobson’s Pledge appeared before the Environment Select Committee regarding the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill. We did not take a position on whether the Bill threatened the environment, as our supporters have varying views on this.

However, we strongly objected to the Bill's initial proposal, which suggested that every small group of experts assessing projects for fast-track treatment should include both a local authority representative and an iwi representative.

This implied iwi should have as much say in deciding which projects could get the accelerated treatment as the local authority in whose territory the project was to take place.

We thought that that was outrageous.

Yesterday’s Government announcement initially appeared to be an improvement. It stated that expert panels would “include an iwi authority representative onlywhen required by Treaty settlements.”

While this may seem like progress, many Treaty settlements contain clauses granting iwi significant powers over large areas of land and water.

Additionally, the announcement revealed that expert panels “will include Māori development and te ao Māori expertise in place of mātauranga Māori.” This means the law will still grant iwi disproportionate power in deciding which projects receive fast-track approval.

We all know, from bitter experience, that this leaves the rest of us open to extortion.

We like to think of New Zealand as free of corruption. If you believe that, have a chat with any developer—whether involved in housing, infrastructure, or power stations—and get their reaction.

If the law goes ahead in its current form, the risk of rorts will continue.