June 04, 2020
Taupō water monitoring deal points way to future
Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board chair John Bishara hopes a transfer of authority over will be taken up more widely.
Waikato Regional Council is seeking feedback on its decision to give the trust board the authority to monitor and control water quality in the Taupō catchment, including summer bathing beaches, regional rivers, rainfall and groundwater quality monitoring.
Mr Bishara says Tūwharetoa has long sought greater official recognition for its kaitiakitanga over its roto, but the councils decision to to transfer its powers under the Resource management Act is a first for an iwi authority.
"If we can do the very best with the regional council and the regional council can do the very best with us, it's a platform for others to progress their journey," he says.
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