The key to an effective CIA is to foster a genuine relationship between the applicant and tangata whenua.
It is good practice following the completion of a CIA report for the applicant to respond in writing and/or meet with the iwi/hapū. ‘Post CIA consultation’ provides an opportunity for both parties to discuss the recommendations contained within the report, how they can be accommodated, and the implications for forthcoming resource consent applications.
The Terms of Reference or a subsequent Memorandum of Understanding can set out any on-going consultation needs or how recommendations from the report will be addressed.
Resource consent applicants should provide CIA reports to council. The AEE should include the key issues raised in the CIA, the applicant's response, and any negotiated outcomes after receiving the CIA report. Schedule 4 of the RMA requires resource consent applicants to provide, as part of their AEE, their response to the views of any person consulted.
Councils should take the issues reported and any agreements reached between the parties into account in assessing the AEE, and the application for resource consent. In the absence of any formal agreement between the applicant and tangata whenua, it is important that councils review the CIA report to identify and understand the cultural effects of the activity and the ways that these effects can be addressed. The outcomes from the CIA can be reflected in the conditions of consent if granted.
