A glimpse into looming constitutional changes in local government was presented at a recent Tauranga City Council open forum this week.

Puhirake Ihaka, representing Tauranga Moana iwi, spoke briefly to the council's policy and strategy committee on its coastal reserves management policy, requesting iwi he represents be kept in the loop about the progress of any review of the policy.

Mount Maunganui.

The reason is the treaty issues for local iwi are up for settlement, and part of the changes in the wind are a greater recognition of local iwi status as treaty partners in governance and environmental issues.

Tangata whenua are already involved in discussion with and attended council workshops on the reworking of the coastal reserves policy.

The tangata whenua representatives want that process to continue, and that was the nature of Puhirake's request.

He says for example, there is particular Maori interest in Liesure Island's future.

A former railway quarry and dolpinarium, Moturiki is also an historic pre-european double pa site.

'It has much significance to us in terms of the future use of that area,” says Puhirake.

'There are things that relate to some of those reserves that are very topical in Tauranga today and also in some of the other things tangata whenua are pursing through the treaty process.

'I'm not saying there is necessarily a link.

'Basically we wish to remain in the loop and keep that dialogue going between us and the council so we do have some way of inputting into the plans whenever they are made.

'We feel that by remaining in the loop in terms of dealing with council, the relationship with council will probably advantage us when its gets closer to the end in terms of deciding things.”

Because of the economics as well as the politics, the councillors were intending to separate Mauao out from the coastal plan and put the rest aside for 18 months and resume the discussion while making allowance for any changed of status.

Councillors gave Purirake their personal assurances he will be kept in the loop.

'I think the point he is making, which I think is valid, is that they may be wanting to avoid the situation where if things are going to change, they don't appear to have changed subsequent to the treaty settlement, that they want to work together now,” says Councillor Larry Baldock.

'If there are issues they want to see changed in the future, they want to do it now through a partnership with us, rather than be seen to be, ‘Oh, they've got their settlement and now they want to make changes' – which may ruffle more feathers in the community.

'I don't know if that's personally enough reasons to go ahead now, but I think it's worth considering because we do want to avoid ruffling feathers when we can.

'When we get into co-management and co-governance of natural resources which is the harbour, these are the issue which iwi may bring to the table.”

There could be a desire to demonstrate to the Office of Treaty Settlements that there is a good relationship between Tauranga Moana tangata whenua and the council, says Mayor Stuart Crosby.

'But in saying that, the rational thing is to wait for six months time and see what arrangements have been made,” says Stuart.

The current plan was adopted in 1997 and covers coastal regions from mussel rock to the TCC boundary at Papamoa East.

It is overdue for a review process which will involve public consultation.

The revised plan is also intended to include Pilot Bay, Mount Maunganui Main Beach, Moturiki and Hopukiore (Mount Drury).

They are currently included in the Mount Reserves Management plan 1998 along with Mauao.

Mauao will in future have its own individual plan to reflect the different level of management requirements and issues.

The council deferred taking the plant to public consultation he plan, but will check the lie of the political landscape every six months or so.