Engaging with Māori
Our engagement with Māori holders of rights and interests has been an important part of developing the offshore renewable energy regime and will remain a priority.
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The Offshore Renewable Energy Act 2026 requires developers to consult with relevant iwi authorities, hapū and Treaty settlement entities before submitting an application for a feasibility permit. There is also a requirement for the Minister to consult with Māori before determining an application. MBIE will be responsible for carrying out this consultation on behalf of the Minister.
When determining an application, the Minister must have regard for this consultation (both the developer’s and MBIE’s), including the impacts of granting a permit on relevant iwi authorities, hapū and Treaty settlement entities.
This engagement is separate and additional to any engagement that must be carried out by developers as part of the environmental consenting process.
We also expect any developers who are granted a feasibility permit to continue to engage with Māori when developing their projects.
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 the 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 feasibility applications
We will also consult with relevant iwi, hapū and Treaty settlement entities (on behalf of the Minister) as part of our application assessment process.
This will help:
- improve our understanding of the potential impacts of proposed projects on iwi, hapū and Treaty settlement entities with rights and interests in the area.
- inform our recommendation to the Minister for Energy, who decides whether to grant a feasibility permit and what conditions to impose on that permit.
The timing of this consultation is yet to be determined but will be undertaken as part of our assessment of feasibility applications.
Further engagement with Māori
Any developer who goes on to apply for a commercial permit must consult with iwi, hapū and Treaty settlement entities prior to submitting their application. The Minister must also consult with Māori before awarding a commercial permit.
Before building any offshore renewable energy infrastructure, developers must identify and apply for any additional consents, for example, resource or marine consents under other legislation such as the Resource Management Act 1991. These processes may include separate requirements to engage with Māori. For more information about the offshore renewable energy regulation.