Ngāti Toa Rangatira chief executive Helmut Modlik has been appointed deputy chair of the Wellington Regional Leadership Committee and will act as co-chair alongside Greater Wellington chair Daran Ponter for the 2025–28 term.
The Wellington Regional Leadership Committee brings together nine mayors from across the Wellington region and Horowhenua, along with iwi representatives and the regional council chair, to coordinate long-term planning on growth, infrastructure and the environment.
Modlik said the committee would continue to provide a space for councils and iwi to work together on shared challenges.
“Together, councils and iwi can better manage growth, infrastructure planning and climate change with a regional spatial plan that strengthens environmental stewardship by respecting mana whenua relationships with land and water,” he said.
He said embedding iwi values and priorities into planning would help support stronger partnerships across the region.
“When iwi values, priorities and boundaries are visible in spatial planning, it creates clearer pathways for partnership. That clarity supports a stronger Te Tiriti-based approach to resource management, while improving the health of our environment and outcomes for the region.”
Ponter said the committee’s role would be increasingly important as councils and iwi prepare for changes to resource management laws.
“Through the Future Development Strategy, the committee has experience with regional spatial planning, which is likely to be a cornerstone of the legislation set to replace the Resource Management Act,” he said.
He said the work already completed had laid a foundation for a plan that reflects Te Ao Māori alongside the aspirations of councils and communities, while helping guide investment, development sequencing and environmental protection.
The committee’s current programme includes a range of regional projects focused on housing supply, climate adaptation, industrial land and economic growth.
It will also begin preparatory work on a regional spatial plan as part of wider resource management reform.