In February, the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board responded strongly to the Department of Conservation (DOC) regarding proposed changes to charge for public land access and modernising conservation land management, which is about updates to management of concessions which are permits that allow non-conservation activities to happen on conservation land like tourism, recreation, and infrastructure. Sent to DOC Director-General Penny Nelson, the feedback on the discussion documents outlined the concerns and expectations of Ngāti Tūwharetoa as kaitiaki of Taupō Waters and the Upper Waikato River.
Key issues raised
- Opposing access fees: The Trust Board firmly rejected any suggestion that tangata whenua should pay to access conservation lands within their rohe, calling it a clear breach of Treaty rights. It also warned against commercialising culturally significant areas, including Tongariro National Park.
- Defending Treaty partnerships: The submission stressed DOC’s legal responsibility to uphold Treaty principles under the Conservation Act, especially in light of the government’s controversial review of Treaty clauses in legislation.
- Prioritising land return over disposal: The Board strongly opposed efforts to make land exchanges easier, arguing that surplus conservation land should be returned to iwi rather than sold or repurposed.
- Protecting existing agreements: Any changes to conservation planning must respect Ngāti Tūwharetoa’s existing arrangements, including the Taupō Waters Management Plan and Te Ture Whaimana.
The Trust Board called for ongoing discussions with DOC to ensure iwi perspectives help shape future policy and legislative decisions.