A joint iwi environmental management plan has won two awards at this year's NZ Planning Institute's national conference.

The plan by Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi Trust, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, and environmental consultancy specialist company Boffa Miskell won the NZPI Best Practice for Non Statutory Planning and the Nancy Northcroft Supreme Practice Award.

The plan was judged the best project from four major category winners.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council provided funding and support for development of the plan prepared for Ngāti Rangitihi, which is based in the Mauāo constituency near Matatā.

Ngāti Rangitihi manager of environment and research Kura Paul-Burke says the plan represents part of a comprehensive approach to the well-being of Ngāti Rangitihi.

She says the iwi management plan describes important resource management issues, and include specific cultural values, historical accounts, descriptions of areas of interest and consultation and engagement protocols for resource consents and plan changes.

Kura says the plan was the catalyst for Ngāti Rangitihi playing an active and constructive role in environmental decision-making, planning and resource management from the coastline of Matatā to the inland lake of Tarawera and the Waikato River.
'It is a first generation plan that uses mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) alongside environmental objectives, policies and methods in the practical application of resource management for Ngāti Rangitihi.

'This plan is a living document and will continue to evolve in its application and guidance.”
The plan was prepared by Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi Trust with the support of Antoine Coffey on secondment from Boffa Miskell Ltd.

Regional Councillor Tipene Marr was part of the advisory group developing the plan.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council provided resources and the plan was also supported by the Department of Conservation and a range of local councils.