Iwi and your Council
Waikato-Tainui and the Waikato District Council are linked by and share a similar approach to each organisation's structure, constituency, democratic appointment, geographic influence, natural resource management, political, social and economic issues and their long-term generational planning.
Waikato District Council’s area of responsibility sits across the majority of the traditional rohe ('region') of Waikato Tainui, the tangata whenua ('people of the land') of the Waikato region (thirty nine of their marae are located within Waikato District Council’s boundaries).
The Council has legal obligations to Waikato-Tainui and the wider Maaori community and we recognise that politically, socially, culturally and economically, Waikato-Tainui are key partners contributing to the success of our district.
Having achieved settlement of their land and river claims with the Crown in the past 20 years, Waikato-Tainui recognise that the Waikato District Council has an important role to play in developing, growing and identifying mutual strategic opportunities which will benefit the whole community.
Find out more about local iwi in our district.
Waikato District Council and local iwi also work with the Waikato Regional Council on issues and planning at a regional level. More details on joint management agreements with the regional council and other district councils in the region are outlined in 'plans and agreements' below.
Iwi and our environment
The Council works in partnership with Maaori ensure their input on environmental considerations wherever possible across our planning and activities. This is particularly relevant to our plans, policies and bylaws; services and facilities such as our water, wastewater, stormwater and refuse and recycling services; and planning for and developing land and property which is managed through our resource consents and building consents processes.
In particular, we've been working with Waikato-Tainui (along with other councils, agencies and organisations) in relation to issues and management of the Waikato River and the Waipa River. More details are outlined in 'plans and agreements' below.
Find out more about what we're doing and what you can do in relation to protecting and managing our environment in the Waikato district.
Plans and agreements
The Waikato District Council works closely with the Waikato River Authority, the Waikato Raupatu River Trust and other councils on jointly managing the Waikato River and the Waipa River, with specific agreements detailed below.
Check out the Waikato Regional Council website for details on Waikato regional iwi management plans and find out more about Maaori and the Waikato River and its co-management.
Waikato River settlement - Joint Management Agreement (JMA)
In a formal sense, the settlement of the Waikato-Tainui River claim by the Crown and Waikato-Tainui highlighted the importance of localised arrangements through the Deed of Settlement. As a result of the Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Act 2010, a Joint Management Agreement (JMA) between Waikato-Tainui and Waikato District Council was signed in March 2010. The JMA affirms commitment between Waikato-Tainui and Waikato District Council to co-manage the Waikato River, to restore and protect the health and wellbeing of the river and also to provide an enhanced relationship between the parties on areas of common interest.
View the Waikato River Joint Management Agreement on our website.
Waipa River - Joint Management Agreement with Maniapoto Maaori Trust Board
The Nga Wai o Maniapoto (Waipa River) Act 2012 came into effect on 5 April 2012. Under this Act there is a requirement for Waikato District Council to enter into a Joint Management agreement with Ngaati Maniapoto. The purpose of the Act is to "...restore and maintain the quality and integrity of the waters that flow into and form part of the Waipa River for present and future generations..."
Waikato District Council, Waipa District Council, Waitomo District Council, Otorohanga District Council and the Waikato Regional Council signed the Waipa River Joint Management Agreement with the Maniapoto Maaori Trust Board on 3 April 2013.
Read more about Waipa River Joint Management Agreement on the Waikato Regional Council's website. For further enquiries, see the Maniapoto Maaori Trust Board's website. You are also welcome to give us a call on our freephone 0800 492 452 and ask to speak to our Iwi Partnership Manager.
Memorandum of Understanding with Ngaa Uri o Maahanga
In April 2013, the Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ngaa Uri aa Mahanga. The document sets out how the Council will work with Ngaati Maahanga on matters of mutual interest and principles for engagement.
More information
Find out about the Waikato District Council and local iwi working together with these organisations:
See our District Plan and Waikato district ward maps - and use our Maps Online tool - to find out more about the Waikato district. Also check out:
View our district profile and investment information on the Open Waikato website for more information.