Iwi candidates train for resource management

Bay of Plenty Regional Council has selected three iwi representatives to undertake resource management Making Good Decisions training.

Last week's Regional Council Māori Committee meeting heard that the Council's Ten Year Plan outlined steps to foster the development of Māori capacity to contribute to Council decision-making processes. The Council had agreed to sponsor one representative from each Māori constituency nominated by their iwi authority to participate in the training.

The training sponsorship is now in its second year and its purpose is to enhance knowledge of resource management and build the talent pool of Māori as hearing commissioners. Final selection for the sponsorship is made by Māori Committee Chairman Tai Eru.

This year's successful candidates are Neil Te Kani for the Mauāo sub region (Ngāi Te Rangi), Hera Naera for the Ōkurei sub region (Ngāti Uenukukōpako) and Maramena Vercoe for the Kōhi sub region (Ngāti Manawa).

The next training round is scheduled for August-September this year. Sponsorship candidates who successfully pass can submit their CV for inclusion on the list of Independent Commissioners.