Maori Engagement in NZ’s Extractive Industry (EI): Innovative Legal Solutions

About this research

This research project looks at what the basic conditions are that would need to be in place in order for whanau/hapu and iwi communities to be ready to engage with Extractive Industry (EI); enter joint ventures with EI; or undertake their own EI projects?

It will also investigate what the extractive industries perceptions are of international indigenous rights and business and human rights, as well as how recent developments in international law relating to indigenous rights and corporate accountability could promote Māori economic development through EI? Finally, it will look at how recent developments in legal aboriginal rights and best practice relating to co-ownership and co-management models might promote Maori economic development through extractive industry projects.

This research project’s aim is to use international legal developments and best practice to promote effective Maori engagement with EI through: robust consultation and impact assessment processes; benefit sharing agreements with EI; partnership agreements with EI; and iwi-led EI projects. It will use best practice to indicate the potential of co-ownership and co-management models drawing on local innovations (in treaty settlements) but with greater attention directed to models adopted in other countries (eg, Canada).

The term 'extractive industries' refers to the NZ mining and petroleum industry. The National government has made mining a top economic priority, recently committing $9M to encourage investment. The Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012 (EEZ Act) (called the Resource Management Act 1991 of the seas) was enacted two years ago to establish a consent process for mining in the EEZ. However, many Māori communities struggle with effective engagement with EI. In particular, iwi point to inadequate EI consultation processes.

There has been a sharp increase in EI projects in recent years, including projects proposed by Petrobras, Annadarko, and Trans-Tasman Resources. There are few instances of partnership agreements and Māori-led business initiatives and the current EI regulatory scheme contains significant shortcomings. The EEZ, for example, requires only that local Maori be “notified” (not consulted) about proposals to exploit minerals in their rohe.

There are no provisions in the EEZ Act for Māori engagement in the preparation of Impact Assessments or provisions relating to the negotiation of benefit sharing agreements. In terms of both EI policy and practice and government regulation, the current EI is not geared towards promoting Māori economic development. Based on experience of Māori with EI to date, this research project will determine how new legal tools can promote more effective engagement by whanau/hapu and iwi communities in EI.

Key to unlocking the potential of Māori economic development through EI is the question of the role of Māori in the ownership and regulation of minerals in NZ.

The research will explore the potential for Māori property rights in minerals – including nationalised minerals – in light of recent developments in Aboriginal rights law in common law countries including in Canada and Australia, UN human rights treaty bodies, and the Inter-American Human Rights System.