Our Shared Vision

Together, Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board and Taupō District Council want:

• Thriving and healthy wai: Taupō Moana and the Upper Waikato Awa are thriving, healthy

• Abundant life and prosperous communities: Our moana and awa look after our people and way of life

• Shared responsibility: Everyone in our community plays a part in restoring the health and wellbeing of our wai for future generations.

the jma explained & WHAT it MEANS FOR OUR HAPŪ

1. Te mana o te wai | We make decisions for our wai

The draft JMA shows how we plan to restore and protect Taupō Moana and the Upper Waikato Awa—together. It includes stuff needed under the law:

Monitoring and enforcement

• Tūwharetoa will input early on what activities will be monitored, and be involved in how that monitoring is carried out.

District Plan review

• The Trust Board shall jointly prepare the content of a planning document to be notified under the Resource Management Act.

Assessing resource consent applications

• The Trust Board will be involved early in applications within the JMA area within scope, giving input on cultural and environmental impacts, and suggesting conditions to reduce these impacts.

Supporting Tūwharetoa cultural practices

• The Trust Board and council can agree on processes that allow customary activities without needing council authorisation, ensuring they are included in plans and bylaws.

There are also opportunities to work together on other things like:

Capability building

• A joint project will be set-up for council and Ngāti Tūwharetoa to gain skills and knowledge from each other so they can better work together.
  

Section 33 RMA Transfers of Powers

• This agreement commits to explore further transfers of powers from Council to iwi. This power already exists under the Resource Management Act. 

Economic Development and Investment

• The Trust Board and Council may look at joint economic projects where working together can bring benefits to both parties and the community. 

Service infrastructure (Water, Roads, Stormwater)

• Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board will be invited by council to be involved early on in the development of water, roads and stormwater projects. 

Three-year plan

• Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board and the Taupō District Council will develop a 3-year work plan to develop joint projects that restore and protect the health and wellbeing of Taupō Moana and the Upper Waikato River.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This JMA does not replace existing agreements between marae, hapū, or other Tūwharetoa entities and the Council. It simply adds another tool for our whānau to use.

2. He taonga ka tuku iho | We protect the wai

The draft JMA will ensure long-term protection by:

• Tracking progress through a three-year work plan
• Locking in protections for our wai under the law for future generations.

3. He wai Māori, he wai ora | We restore the wai

The draft JMA will help restore the environment by:

• Identifying and prioritising projects in our work plan that matter to our whānau, marae, and hapū.
• Checking the health of our wai using our mātauranga and Western science.

4. Hapū mana motuhake | We uphold hapū authority

The draft JMA will support hapū by:

• Making sure they’re involved in Council decisions about our moana and awa.
• Focusing on projects that are important to marae and hapū.

What happens next

• July 31 – Taupō District Council voted to defer consideration of the draft JMA to after the local elections.
• Post October 11 – New council voted in. JMA will come up on the agenda sometime after this.

FAQs

What is the draft Joint Management Agreement (JMA)?

• An agreement between Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board and Taupō District Council

• Establishes how we work together on decisions affecting Taupō Moana and the Upper Waikato River.

What is the basis for the draft JMA?

• Grounded in our Treaty settlement

• Enabled by the Upper Waikato River Act 2010

• Affirms our mana whakahaere

Why do we need a JMa?

• Council engagement with iwi/hapū already exists, but is not clearly defined, and isn’t applied consistently.
  
• Existing legislation such as the Resource Management Act and Local Government Act has failed to deliver for iwi and hapū.
• The Waikato River Act 2010 was an iwi settlement designed to address these failings, which in turn will support the health of the Waikato River and Taupō Moana.
• The JMA sets out a process to give effect to this legislation.
• Through the JMA, iwi / hapū and council will have a stronger relationship, and clarity over how they should engage with each other in relation to the Upper Waikato River and Taupō Moana. 

Why is this agreement important?

• Guarantees that Ngāti Tūwharetoa has meaningful influence in decision-making

• Ensures our perspectives are included in matters affecting our rohe.

How does this affect hapū?

• Recognises and supports hapū as kaitiaki

• Strengthens existing hapū-Council relationships

• Does not replace or diminish hapū authority

What is the Trust Board’s role?

• We hold the Deed to Taupō Waters under legislation

• Our role is to create pathways for hapū participation

• We support but do not speak for hapū

HOW WILL THIS AGREEMENT IMPROVE ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN IWI/HAPŪ AND COUNCIL?

• The JMA provides clarity on best engagement practice between iwi / hapū and council, helping identify issues and costs early. 

What are the “extended Matters”?

• These are opportunities to grow the relationship between iwi and council that are included under the “extended matters” part of the agreement.
  
• These include building skills and knowledge between council and the Trust Board, exploring projects that restore and protect Taupō Moana and the Upper Waikato River.

What is the current status?

• Currently in draft form

• Being reviewed by both the Council and the Trust Board

• Not yet signed or finalised.

Want to know more?

For more details and FAQs about the draft agreement, visit the Taupō District Council website.

Ngāti Tūwharetoa leading the care of our wai – now and always.