Draft Joint Management Agreement
partnering to Protect and restore taupō moana and waikato awa
Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board and Taupō District Council have developed a draft Joint Management Agreement (JMA) — a practical tool to make sure we are part of the decisions that shape Taupo Moana and the Upper Waikato Awa.
This mahi comes from the Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Raukawa and Te Arawa River Iwi Waikato River Act 2010. While the Act has been in place for over a decade, this agreement gives effect to it in a real and lasting way.
This agreement is still in draft form. We’re sharing it now so our whānau and hapū can read it, understand what it means, and if they choose to, send a message of support before it’s finalised.
Our Shared Vision
Together, Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board and Taupō District Council want:
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Thriving and healthy wai: Taupō Moana and the Upper Waikato Awa are thriving, healthy
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Abundant life and prosperous communities: Our moana and awa look after our people and way of life
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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
- District Plan review
- Assessing resource consent applications
- Supporting Tūwharetoa cultural practices.
There are also opportunities to work together on other things like:
- Building capability with things like staff secondments
- Submissions to the central government (like law changes)
- Economic development and investment
- Infrastructure projects
- Developing a 3-year work plan prioritising mahi that matters to marae and hapū.
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 2025 – Both parties expect to make final decisions at the end of the month.
FAQs
What is the draft Joint Management Agreement (JMA)?
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An agreement between Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board and Taupō District Council
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Establishes how we work together on decisions affecting our wai.
What is the basis for the draft JMA?
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Grounded in our Treaty settlement
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Enabled by the Upper Waikato River Act 2010
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Affirms our mana whakahaere
Why is this agreement important?
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Guarantees that Ngāti Tūwharetoa has meaningful influence in decision-making
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Ensures our perspectives are included in matters affecting our rohe.
How does this affect hapū?
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Recognises and supports hapū as kaitiaki
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Strengthens existing hapū-Council relationships
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Does not replace or diminish hapū authority
What is the Trust Board’s role?
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We hold the Deed to Taupō Waters under legislation
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Our role is to create pathways for hapū participation
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We support but do not speak for hapū
What is the current status?
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Currently in draft form
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Being reviewed by both the Council and the Trust Board
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Not yet signed or finalised.
Want to know more?
For more details and FAQs about the draft agreement, visit the Taupō District Council website.