Plans to allow tangata whenua to build sustainable, culturally consequential communities on their ancestral land are progressing, according to the Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

The proposed plan seeks to reduce barriers for Māori in developing their land according to their aspirations and to support the district’s housing supply, the council’s environmental planning manager, Natalie Rutland, said.

“Papakāinga housing is about more than just building homes. It’s about supporting tangata whenua to live, connect, and prosper on their whenua in accordance with their tikanga and aspirations.”

The council’s He Kāinga Tahi-One Home Together seeks to remove barriers to papakāinga development, offering Māori opportunities to build homes and essential facilities on their whenua.

At present, permits allow papakāinga development in rural zones, with restrictions on house locations, numbers, and infrastructure requirements.

The proposed changes simplify the papakāinga development process based on collaboration with tangata whenua and other critical stakeholders.

“Through this mahi, we’ve been listening and working closely with our Māori communities to ensure the new rules are not just enabling but empowering,” Rutland said.

The changes seek to enable Māori landowners to thrive on their land while honouring their cultural values and connections.

“Feedback highlighted the need for more flexible rules that support a holistic approach to housing on Māori land, allowing for the development of housing alongside associated community facilities that serve broader whānau needs.”

The Western Bay of Plenty District Council wants to create a planning environment in which Māori landowners are equipped to develop communities they envision for themselves and future generations, Rutland said.

“This is about creating a future where Māori landowners can thrive on their whenua, living according to their cultural values and strengthening their connections to the whenua.”