A formal agreement between Te Rūnanga ā-Iwi o Ngāpuhi and the Far North District Council has been celebrated this month. This agreement is seen as significant for enabling better collaboration and recognition of Ngāpuhi’s role in regional decision-making and cultural well-being.
The significance of a formal agreement between Aotearoa’s largest iwi, Te Rūnanga ā-Iwi o Ngāpuhi, and Far North District Council (FNDC) celebrated this month, cannot be overstated.
The signing of a Mana Whakahono ā Rohe (MwaR) is a legislative agreement under the Resource Management Act (RMA), and it creates a framework for future cooperation and engagement between the rūnanga and the council. Under this legislation, when an iwi requests to enter into discussions about a MwaR, the council is obliged to enter an agreement.
Ngāpuhi initiated the MwaR process with the council several years ago. The signing of the agreement earlier this month was the culmination of ongoing dialogue by both parties. The agreement will enable the council to engage with iwi and hapū early, which will save money.
The RMA provides for Māori to participate in RMA processes and specifically recognises Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It also identifies, as matters of national importance, the relationship of Māori culture and traditions with ancestral lands, water, sites, wāhi tapu and other taonga, as well as the protection of customary rights.
Unfortunately, councils have not always met their obligations under the Act. Because of this, the RMA was amended in 2017 to introduce the concept of the Mana Whakahono ā Rohe. These agreements provide a formal process for councils and Māori to discuss, agree and record how to work together under the RMA.
Other councils that have MwaR agreements under the relevant RMA provisions include:
- Northland Regional Council
- West Coast Regional Council
- Bay of Plenty Regional and
- Taupō District Council.
