Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader on the replacement for the Resource Management Act

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says compromises will need to be made in reforming the Resource Management Act. 

The Government's replacing the Act with a new planning framework, including rules around land development and environment protections. 

It's seeking cross-party support. 

Hipkins told Mike Hosking the country's administration can't keep putting infrastructure projects on hold. 

He says that if there are projects underway, even if they’re not the administration’s first choice, they’ll keep doing them. 

Labour also wants clarity around the Treaty of Waitangi's role in the reform. 

Cabinet's decided on ruling out incorporating a Treaty clause in the legislation, despite the Expert Advisory Group recommending the current clause be carried over. 

Hipkins told Mike Hosking they want to make sure Treaty settlements are respected. 

He says saying you want to respect the Treaty but then saying you don't want to put it into law is contradictory. 

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