3. Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi Volume One [RPS] Policy 3.1.3 – Where an application for resource consent or plan change is likely to affect the relationship of Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi and their culture and traditions, decision makers shall ensure: (a) the ability for tangata whenua to exercise kaitiakitanga is maintained; (b) mauri is maintained or improved where degraded, particularly in relation to fresh and coastal waters, land and air; (c) mahinga kai and natural resources used for customary purposes are maintained or enhanced and that these resources are healthy and accessible to tangata whenua; (d) for waterbodies, the elements of physical health to be assessed are: i. aesthetic and sensory qualities, e.g. clarity, colour, natural character, smell and sustenance for indigenous flora and fauna; ii. life-supporting capacity, ecosystem robustness and habitat richness; iii. depth and velocity of flow (reflecting the life force of the river through its changing character, flows and fluctuations); iv. continuity of flow from the sources of a river to its mouth at the sea; v. wilderness and natural character; vi. productive capacity; and vii. fitness to support human use, including cultural uses. (e) how traditional Mā ori uses and practices relating to natural and physical resources such as mahinga maataitai, waahi tapu, papakāing a and taonga raranga are to be recognised and provided for. These matters must be assessed by decision makers when considering an application for resource consent or a plan change in which there is a likelihood that particular values of significance to iwi may be adversely affected. The matters to be assessed in relation to the mauri of waterbodies are particularly detailed given the significance of water resources to iwi. Dependent on the circumstances of the consent application or plan change, these matters may need to be assessed. This can only be done with the assistance of a hearings commissioner with expertise in tikanga Māori. [RPS] Policy 3.1.4 – Encourage iwi to develop iwi management plans that contain: (a) specific requirements to address the management of coastal waters, land and air resources, including mauri, and in relation to Sections 6(e), 7(a) and 8 of the Resource Management Act 1991; (b) protocols to give effect to their role of kaitiaki of water and land resources; (c) sites of cultural significance; (d) descriptions of how the document is to be used, monitored and reviewed; and (e) the outcomes expected from implementing the management plan. Encouraging Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi to develop and implement iwi management plans will help to achieve two significant outcomes. Ultimately, it will help the Council meet its requirements relating to Māori in the resource management planning process, especially when preparing new resource management policy and plans. Secondly, because the plans belong to the iwi that prepared them, they will help iwi themselves identify and express the values and relationships they have with their resources and how they ought to be protected, maintained or enhanced. Iwi management plans can provide a framework for consultation both for plan review and resource consent processes. Including the matters identified within (a) to (e) of the policy 3 – 16