7 Apr 2014

Lawyer to lead council internal review

7:33 pm on 7 April 2014

An environment and Maori issues law specialist involved in proving that the Rotorua District Council ill-advised two tribes has been picked to lead an internal review of how the authority engages with iwi.

Tama Hovell, a senior associate at a environmental law firm Atkins Holm Majurey, aims to complete the audit by the end of June.

It was launched after the Environment Court found that the council mis-lead Ngati Makino and Ngati Pikiao through the consultation process for plans to build a waste water plant in 2013.

The council's director of Kaupapa Maori, Mauriora Kingi, said Mr Hovell (who is not of Te Arawa descent) would be ideal for the role.

Mr Kingi said Mr Hovell was involved in the court case acting on behalf of Ngati Pikiao and has expertise in local government, environmental and resource management laws.