A North Otago iwi is claiming that a parliamentary select committee could have acted in breach of natural justice when it accepted late submissions on a Bill that continues to divide local opinion.
The Waitaki District Council Reserves and Other Land Empowerment Bill, which was put forward by Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean, seeks to reverse the reserve land status of land at Forrester Heights at Cape Wanbrow, and is now before the Local Government and Environment select committee.
Last week it was revealed that the committee had accepted two late submissions on the Bill, and Te Runanganui O Waitaha me Maata Waka Inc tumuaki Stephen Bray said the committee was acting in bad faith by receiving the submissions, both of which were in favour of the Bill.
In a letter sent to the Speaker of the House and leaders of all political parties, Mr Bray said he had concerns over the Bill and the way it was being handled.
"It is also my contention that the nonfeasance has caused a breach of natural justice and a legitimate expectation on all submitters who complied with the original timeframes in the first publication for this Bill, in respect that all submitters and submissions would be treated equally."
The committee had also previously failed to ask any questions on Waitaha concerns when he spoke in Parliament on the Bill last month, Mr Bray said.
He added that the committee's recent behaviour was further proof that it "lacked understanding" of the Waitaha people's history and association with Cape Wanbrow, also known as Ruaki O Tangaroa.
