Māori land and labour left uncertain in energy reset
The Government’s energy reforms are promising new rules and procurement, but leave unclear how Māori landowners and workers will fit into the transition.
What’s at stake? Whether iwi can use whenua Māori to build renewable projects and whether Māori workers can withstand energy-driven closures
Background: Yesterday’s package listed LNG imports, stronger regulation and new procurement for renewables, but offered little detail on how Māori landowners or iwi participation would be supported.
Main players: Iwi entities such as Tūaropaki and Tauhara North No.2, Te Arawa Lakes Trust, the CTU, and government ministers
The Government's energy reforms, announced this week, have failed to spell out how iwi and Māori landowners fit into the transition.
Māori own large areas of land in geothermal zones, forestry blocks that could feed bioenergy, and coastal land suited for wind. Yet the official documents make no
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Key points
What’s at stake? Whether iwi can use whenua Māori to build renewable projects and whether Māori workers can withstand energy-driven closures
Background: Yesterday’s package listed LNG imports, stronger regulation and new procurement for renewables, but offered little detail on how Māori landowners or iwi participation would be supported.
Main players: Iwi entities such as Tūaropaki and Tauhara North No.2, Te Arawa Lakes Trust, the CTU, and government ministers
