A landmark partnership between Ngāti Maru and the Taranaki Regional Council has been formally strengthened with the approval of the region’s first Joint Management Agreement (JMA) between an iwi and the council, marking a significant step forward in the shared stewardship of the Waitara River catchment.
The agreement, endorsed at the Council’s Ordinary Meeting, formalises a long-standing relationship between Ngāti Maru and the council and establishes a framework for working together on environmental planning, monitoring, compliance, enforcement and resource consent processes.
At the heart of the agreement is the protection and restoration of the Waitara River, known to Ngāti Maru as Te Awaroa, and the wider catchment that has sustained the iwi for generations.
The Joint Management Agreement gives practical effect to the principles of kotahitanga, recognising that the health of the river is a shared responsibility between iwi and local government.
Taranaki Regional Council Chair Craig Williamson says the agreement strengthens an already well-established relationship and reflects a commitment to protecting the region’s natural environment through genuine partnership.
The agreement recognises Ngāti Maru’s enduring relationship with Te Awaroa and outlines the respective responsibilities of both the iwi and council in safeguarding the awa and its surrounding environment for future generations.
For Ngāti Maru, the agreement acknowledges the deep cultural, historical and spiritual significance of the river. Te Awaroa has long been central to the identity and wellbeing of the iwi, supporting generations of whānau and remaining an enduring taonga within the rohe.
The Joint Management Agreement fulfils commitments contained within the Ngāti Maru (Taranaki) Claims Settlement Act 2022, providing a formal mechanism for shared decision-making on environmental matters affecting the Waitara River catchment. Some provisions will also align with the responsibilities of other Waitara River authorities and the future Waitara River Committee.
Alongside the Joint Management Agreement, councillors also approved a Mana Whakahono ā Rohe (MWAR) agreement with Ngāti Maru. While the JMA governs the relationship between Ngāti Maru and the regional council, the MWAR establishes how the iwi will work collaboratively with all four Taranaki councils on resource management planning, policy development and consenting processes.
Together, the two agreements are intended to improve coordination, strengthen relationships and create greater certainty around environmental decision-making across the region.
The Joint Management Agreement establishes a Leadership Forum made up of representatives from Ngāti Maru and the Taranaki Regional Council to oversee implementation, while the Mana Whakahono ā Rohe creates a broader Relationship Forum involving Ngāti Maru and all four local councils.
The agreements reflect an increasing recognition of the importance of iwi-led environmental stewardship and the integration of mātauranga Māori into contemporary resource management.
Supporters say the partnership will not only strengthen environmental outcomes for the Waitara River catchment but also provide a model for collaborative governance built on mutual respect, shared responsibility and Te Tiriti principles.
As Taranaki continues to navigate environmental challenges, the new partnership signals a commitment to ensuring decisions affecting the whenua and waterways are made together, with both scientific knowledge and mātauranga Māori informing the future care of one of the region’s most significant river systems.
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