Shifting from a projects-based relationship with the Dunedin City Council to a permanent partnership approach needs to be resourced, Ngai Tahu says.
Otakou Runaka representative Tahu Potiki, a former Ngai Tahu chief executive, said yesterday Ngai Tahu wanted to see ''genuine provision'' for treaty partnership in the council's annual budget.
The council's 2019-20 annual plan outlined major projects for the city that Ngai Tahu expected to contribute to over time, in partnership with the council.
But, at present, the relationship was project-based and inefficient, and business cases and other work were resourced on a one-off basis, Mr Potiki told councillors at yesterday's annual plan hearing.
A move to a ''partnership approach'', with joint funding to cover costs associated with activities and projects involving both parties, would be beneficial, Mr Potiki believed.
A budget of $500,000 was suggested, of which Ngai Tahu could pay half while the council covered the rest, he said.
The fund could be used to cover the cost of planning, policy reviews, cultural expertise and treaty analysis by Ngai Tahu when it contributed its perspective on issues ranging from climate change to central city redevelopment plans, education or housing challenges.
''These are the sorts of things we just need to get a lot smarter about,'' he said.
