Engagement with Māori
Find out what you need to know about engagement with Māori as part of the permissions application process.

On this page:

Our Treaty of Waitangi responsibilities

We have a responsibility to ‘give effect to the principles’ of the Treaty of Waitangi in our work. This means when we assess your application, we must understand how your proposed activity may affect Māori interests.

Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and DOC

We engage with iwi and hapū on most applications to understand how your activity may affect their interests and to support informed decision-making. This engagement is factored into the processing timeframes for your application.

In some cases, we may not need to engage with iwi and hapū about your application if we hold up-to-date information about their interests. The Permissions and Treaty Partner Engagement Position Statement explains when engagement may occur.

Position statement – Permissions and Treaty partner engagement (PDF, 241K)

Our role in Treaty settlements

We have a range of Treaty settlement commitments with iwi and hapū. These settlements acknowledge their strong relationship with the whenua, taonga species, natural resources, and the management of conservation land and waters.

Many settlements set out how we must engage with iwi and hapū on applications in their rohe. These processes can influence the time needed to assess your application.

How engagement works and how it may affect your application

We may contact iwi and hapū in the area about your application and seek their formal comments. This process usually takes 20-40 working days, and we continue processing your application during our engagement process.

Engagement may take longer if:

  • your application spans multiple regions
  • there are significant iwi or hapū interests
  • your activity is complex.

We consider iwi and hapū feedback when making a decision on your application, in the context of our Treaty responsibilities and the legislation that applies to the activity.

If your application is approved, we may include conditions to minimise negative effects on iwi and hapū interests.

You may need to consult iwi and hapū

We recommend you consult with local iwi and hapū before you apply. This can help you:

  • identify and address potential effects of your activity
  • build trust and support for your proposal
  • simplify DOC’s engagement and assessment process.

If you undertake your own consultation, your application may be processed more quickly. Please attach records of any consultation when you submit your application.

If you want to consult iwi and hapū before applying, your local DOC office can advise you on the best people to contact as part of your pre-application advice.

You may have requirements under the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act

The Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011 recognises customary interests that iwi, hapū, and whānau have had in the common marine and coastal area since 1840.

Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011 – New Zealand Legislation

If your activity takes place in this area, you may have legal obligations under the Act. Depending on the activity, you may need to:

  • notify iwi, hapū and whānau
  • seek their views
  • obtain their approval.

These requirements most commonly apply to applications for marine mammal permits and activities that require resource consent.

Interacting with marine mammals

If the Act applies to your activity, you must meet these requirements before you apply and tell us about this your application.

For more information on your requirements:

Contact us

For more information or help with your application, contact us for pre-application advice.