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Waikato River co-management

Regatta on the Waikato River, NgaruawahiaOn this page: What's happened so far, other iwi involved, useful links, news 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.

For a copy of the act see the useful links section below.

News and media releases

Historic Waikato River agreement signed at Pikitu Marae - 10 May 2012

Waikato River agreement between Raukawa and regional council - 26 April 2012

Waikato River Authority keen to work with groups to access funding - November 2011

Historic stage for all guardians of the Waikato River - 17 October 2011

Collaboration the key to handling big land and water issues - 15 July 2011

New road map for land and water

Waikato Regional Council welcomes constructive Land and Water Forum report - 22 September 2010

Waikato-Tainui and Waikato Regional Council share vision of a clean and healthy river - 15 April 2010

Council optimistic about river partnership with Waikato-Tainui - 18 February 2010

River settlement could lead to tighter Waikato Regional Council regulatory processes - 19 November 2009

Useful links

Nga Wai o Maniapoto (Waipa River) Act 2012

Waikato Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Act

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

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

Photo of waka and swimmer using the Waikato River