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Waikato River co-management

Regatta on the Waikato River, Ngaruawahia
Regatta on the Waikato River in Ngaruawahia

On this page: What's happened so far, important co-managment documents, news updates and media releases

What’s happened so far

Arrangements between the Crown and iwi ushered in a new era of Crown-iwi co-management of the Waikato River catchment. Co-management provides iwi with mechanisms to manage the river in partnership with central and local government.

Legislation was passed in 2010 covering Waikato-Tainui and its involvement in co-managing the Waikato River from the Karāpiro Dam to Te Puaha o Waikato (Port Waikato).

Later that year legislation was passed covering Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Raukawa and Te Arawa River iwi (specifically the hapū Ngāti Tahu - Ngāti Whaoa, Ngāti Kearoa - Ngāti Tuara and Tuhourangi - Ngati Wahiao). The co-management arrangements under this bit of legislation covers the Waikato River from Te Toka a Tia near Taupo through to Karāpiro.

A third piece of co-management legislation covering Ngāti Maniapoto - the Nga Wai o Maniapoto (Waipa River) Act 2012 - came into effect in April 2012.  It was the catalyst for Ngāti Maniapoto to enter into co-management arrangements with local government authorities for the Waipa River. 

The co-management arrangements will include joint management agreements between iwi and the regional council on the way we will work together.

The first of these agreements was signed with Raukawa on 10 May 2012 at Pikitu Marae, south-west of Putaruru. Other joint management agreements are pending.

Find out more about the regional council’s role in co-management.

Important co-management documents

Vision and Strategy for the Waikato River

Waikato Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Act

Ngati Tuwharetoa, Raukawa, Te Arawa River Iwi Waikato River Act

Nga Wai o Maniapoto (Waipa River) Act 2012

Nga Wai o Maniapoto (Waipa River) Bill 231-1 (2010)

News updates and media releases

10 May 2012 Historic Waikato River agreement signed at Pikitu Marae
26 April 2012 Waikato River agreement between Raukawa and regional council
November 2011 Waikato River Authority keen to work with groups to access funding
17 October 2011 Historic stage for all guardians of the Waikato River
15 July 2011 Collaboration the key to handling big land and water issues
10 June 2011 New road map for land and water
22 September 2010 Waikato Regional Council welcomes constructive Land and Water Forum report
15 April 2010 Waikato-Tainui and Waikato Regional Council share vision of a clean and healthy river
18 February 2010 Council optimistic about river partnership with Waikato-Tainui
19 November 2009 River settlement could lead to tighter Waikato Regional Council regulatory processes

 

 

Photo of waka and swimmer using the Waikato River
A swimmer and a waka full of paddlers enjoy the Waikato River