A Hawke's Bay iwi says it won't be long before Maori have a stronger voice on environmental matters in the region, with the setting up of a new committee.
Ngati Pahauwera has initiated the creation of the Joint Management Committee, which will be made up of mandated claimant groups and regional councillors.
The role of the committee is to develop plans and policies for managing environmental issues within the Hawke's Bay Regional Council area.
Ngati Pahauwera chair Toro Waaka says the committee will ensure that Maori are at the top table and that their interests will have to be considered in all plans and policies.
He says the committee will be introduced as a bill into Parliament within three months, which will give it legal standing.
