2. Background Volume One Statutory agencies that will be the Council’s focus in establishing a collaborative approach in achieving sustainable management include the following: • Ministry for the Environment; • Ministry for Primary Industries; • Department of Conservation; • Nelson/Marlborough Fish and Game; • New Zealand Historic Places Trust; and • Adjoining local authorities. Resource users Resource users play a key role in the sustainable management of natural and physical resources through their day-to-day activities. Increasingly, resource users are taking greater responsibility for managing the effects of resource use and development. This is reflected in the non-regulatory methods contained in the MEP aimed at providing resource users with the information and tools they need to improve management practices. Resource users may also assist the Council with the implementation of other non-regulatory methods and play an essential role of informing the Council of practical issues with the implementation of either regulatory or non-regulatory methods. The Council will meet with industry groups on a regular basis to encourage communication and information exchange. Iwi authorities As identified previously, there are eight iwi with tangata whenua status in Marlborough: Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Koata, N gāti Kuia, Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Toa Rangitira, Ngāi Tahu, Rangitā ne and Te Āt iawa . Each of the Council’s standing committees offers an opportunity for an iwi representative to be a full member of the committee with speaking and voting rights; representatives are appointed collectively by the eight iwi. This allows the views of Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi about the activities of the Council, not just in resource management terms, to be heard. An Iwi Working Group was also established to identify issues of significance to iwi authorities as part of the review process for the MEP. The Iwi Working Group will continue to operate in response to future changes to the MEP. Community groups The Council meets with a variety of groups on resource management issues and these groups reflect the diverse nature and interests of Marlborough’s community. Some groups are issue- based, such as the Landscape Group, which has a focus on landscape matters across the District, while others are area-based, such as the Sounds Advisory Group, which has a particular focus on all matters in the Marlborough Sounds. The value of these groups cannot be underestimated, as they are important ears and eyes within the environment, often highlighting issues that need a resource management response. Many of these groups already meet with the Council on a regular basis and the intention is for this to continue. The commitment to engage with the above groupings also reflects the Council’s “Smart and Connected” vision described under ‘Other strategies and plans’. These interactions ensure that the Council remains connected with its community and that the management framework remains responsive to the needs and aspirations of the community. Relationship of the MEP to other policy statements, standards and strategies The RMA provides for a hierarchy of resource management policy statements and plans related to the three principal levels of government: central, regional and district. It is important to note 2 – 6