Engaging with Māori
Our engagement with Māori has been an important part of developing the offshore renewable energy regime and will remain a priority. The Offshore Renewable Energy Bill as currently drafted sets out how developers are required to engage with Māori before submitting an application and how we must engage with them during our assessment of feasibility permit applications.
On this page I tēnei whārangi
Information on this page is subject to the Offshore Renewable Energy Bill becoming law. It provides a high-level overview. More detailed information will be provided as the process develops and information on subsequent stages will be made available in due course.
Opportunities to provide feedback
Subject to the Bill becoming law, Māori will have 2 opportunities to share their views on proposed projects during the feasibility permit application process.
Before developers apply for a feasibility permit
Developers must engage with relevant iwi, hapū and treaty settlement entities who have rights and interests in the area where their development is proposed.
Consultation should be broad and inclusive and should identify and assess the potential or expected impacts of the proposed development on these rights and interests.
During our assessment of applications
We will also consult with relevant iwi and hapū as part of our application assessment process.
This will help:
- improve our understanding of the impacts the proposed projects would have on rights stemming from Treaty settlements.
- inform our recommendation to the Minister for Energy, who decides whether to grant a feasibility permit.
The timing of this consultation is yet to be determined but will follow the opening of a feasibility permit round.
Subsequent feedback opportunities
Once a feasibility permit is granted, developers will need to identify and apply for additional consents, such as resource or marine consents, from other organisations. These applications will follow the usual consultation processes.