In 2008 Waikato-Tainui and the Government of New Zealand signed a Deed of Settlement to settle the tribe's claim to the Waikato River. A further refined version was signed in 2009 when the government changed from a Labour administration to a National one. The premise of the settlement was the Raupatu which dealt a double blow to Waikato-Tainui taking by the lands and the river.
The Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Act was passed in 2010. The Act provides for the overarching purpose of the settlement which is "to restore and protect the health and wellbeing of the Waikato River for future generations." It enables the vision and strategy, jointly developed by the Guardians of the River, to be deemed as part of the Regional Policy Statement of Waikato Regional Council. The members of the Guardians of the River included the five iwi along the length of the river and relevant territorial authorities. Each territorial authority is required to enter into a Joint Management Agreement with Waikato-Tainui. This allows for co-management of the river by Waikato-Tainui and the territorial authority.
Waikato District Council and Waikato-Tainui entered into a Joint Management Agreement on 23 March 2010. As the real beneficiary of the settlement is the river, the legislation provides financial redress "the clean-up fund" to achieve the restoration of the health and wellbeing of the river.
This is a new era of co-operation for the tribe and councils in managing this significant waterway for the benefit of the whole community.
You can find more information on the Waikato River Settlement here
Joint Management Agreement with Waikato-Tainui
This agreement affrims the commitment between Waikato-Tainui and the council to:
- Enter into a new era of co-management over the Waikato River
- Achieve the overaraching purpose of the settlement to restore and protect the health and wellbeing of the Waikato River for future generations and
- To provide an enhanced relationship between Waikato-Tainui and the Waikato District Council on areas of common interest.
Schedules to the Joint Management Agreement outline the process for engagement to achieve the purpose, principles and objectives of the agreement.
A joint committee comprising members of the council and Waikato-Tainui has been established. The committee meets periodically to discuss matters relating to the implementation of the Joint Management Agreement.
Staff of the council work closely with staff of the Waikato Raupatu River Trust to implement the Joint Management Agreement. The work of the River Trust is detailed in their publication He Piko He Taniwha. Links to this publication are provided here:
"He Piko He Taniwha"
Documents-Library/Files/HPHTFebMar2012LowRes.aspx
Joint committee members
| Waikato District Council |
Waikato-Tainui |
| Mayor Allan Sanson (co-chair) |
Chair of Te Arataura Tom Roa (co-chair) |
| Cr Clint Baddeley |
Mr Hemi Rau (Te Kotahitanga Marae) |
| Cr Moera Solomon |
Mr Rahui Papa (Pohara Marae) |
| Cr Dynes Fulton |
Ms Tipa Mahuta (Waahi Marae) |
Meeting minutes
The minutes of the meetings of this committee are available by clicking on the links below.
Minutes of meeting May 2010
Minutes of meeting October 2011
Joint Management Agreement with Ngati Maniapoto
The Nga Wai o Maniapoto (Waipa River)Act 2012 came into effect on 5 April 2012. Under this Act there is a requirement for Waikato District Council to enter into a Joint Management agreement with Ngati Maniapoto. The purpose of the Act is to "..restore and maintain the quality and integrity of the waters that flow into and form part of the Waipa River for present and future generations.." Waikato District Council is working collaboratively with Ngati Manipaoto and the other territorial authorities that have obligations under the Act (Waipa DC, Waitomo DC, Otorohanga DC) and with the Waikato Regional Council on developing a Joint Management Agreement. Updates on that work will be provided here.