A member of the Iwi Leaders Forum says the Government's planned proposals for freshwater management encompass some of the recommendations by the Waitangi Tribunal's inquiry into Maori water rights.
The suggested reforms include formalising a role for iwi to provide advice and recommendations, which would recognise tribal values and help costly court cases being taken.
Iwi Leaders Forum member and Ngati Kahungunu chair Ngahiwi Tomoana says the Government seems to have taken note of the tribunal's report as well as iwi leaders.
He says the tribunal suggested that there are forms of tikanga, such as the quality of water, which needed exploring and which had previously been seen as separate matters.
But Mr Tomoana says the Government is now considering those views, and is widening the scope of water management matters.
