A Maori group which advises the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is assuring iwi they won't be kept in the dark on oil companies' plans to drill test wells off the coast of New Zealand.
The Government is proposing that the authority makes decisions on whether the public should be notified about the drilling, as part of changes to the legislation covering the area of sea known as the Exclusive Economic Zone.
Tipene Wilson, tumuaki of Nga Kaihautu Tikanga Taiao, the Maori body that makes recommendations to the EPA, says as a Treaty partner iwi will continue to be consulted.
The EPA is still required to maintain the same standards, as it would with a notified application, which makes the information public, Mr Wilson says.
The tribes will still be notified about applications to drill exploratory wells but there won't be any submissions and hearing process, he says.
