Many Auckland iwi and hapu won't have reason to crack open the bubbly when the region's Unitary Plan is released today.

Supporters of the 30-year regional and district plan will be holding celebrations to mark the plan's release.

But councillors have agreed to remove requirements to notify iwi about developments at selected sites of value, after questions were raised about whether some of the sites had cultural value.

Auckland University history lecturer Dr Hirini Kaa said that's disappointing, given many of the sites were confiscated land.

"While sites of significance are protected, it's really the council having the ability and choosing not to make a strong statement about the role of Maori in Auckland.

"It comes on top of a long sad history of the treatment of Maori in Auckland, and moving forward what that says as well."

Michael Sergel: Auckland's future is being decided, but Maori aren't at the table

The plan will prevent development at Pukaki Peninsula, Crater Hill and Okura, but those rules could now be appealed through the Environment Court.

The plan will also rezone part of Clevedon's Wairoa Estuary for a canal-style precinct, despite Ngai Tai having a deed of settlement relating to the river.

Dr Kaa said he hopes the Unitary Plan won't create more grievances and divisions, and he hopes Auckland will become a city that recognises its indigenous history.

"If the Unitary Plan is, and I think it is, a good vision for Auckland to grow as a city, I'm really hoping it's not a city that is detached from tangata whenua."

The Unitary Plan being released today isn't the final plan, because submitters have four weeks to appeal any changes councillors have made.

After the election, the next council may also vote to reintroduce protections for some sites of value to iwi, potentially by drafting a new list based on different criteria.

The Independent Maori Statutory Board's plea to elected officials

The Unitary Plan debate has led Independent Maori Statutory Board chairman David Taipari to appeal to councillors to factor Maori in decision making.

The leader of the panel, set up in 2010 to represent Maori at Auckland Council, has penned an open letter, which has been sent to organisations and Mana Magazine subscribers.

"Planning is the heart of local government's mandate yet councils often struggle to engage people in discussions about the future," Mr Taipari wrote

"The housing affordability issue has brought that future focus a lot closer to home for many. Naturally, people are concerned that... property ownership [issues] will only multiply for their children and their children's children."

In the letter, Mr Taipari says the housing crisis has serious implications for many Maori across the Auckland region.

"The issues affecting a bright economic future are particularly acute; not just in terms of access to suitable housing; but in terms of realising the potential for the region's Maori asset base.

"I can call on the Auckland Council and its council-controlled organisations to factor a real awareness of Te Ao Maori (the Maori world) and the opportunities it presents for Auckland into their planning and decision making."