Iwi wants stronger ties with Horizons Regional Council

A King Country iwi is positioning itself to have a greater say in the way Manawatu¯ -Whanganui waterways and the environment are managed as a Treaty settlement nears.

Negotiators for Nga¯ ti Maniapoto say they hope their own ‘‘One Plan’’ environmental management approach will be relevant as the iwi works with Horizons Regional Council.

The iwi wants to strengthen its ties with the council in connection with managing waterways.

Nga¯ti Maniapoto, whose rohe extends from Waikato into the north of Horizons’ area, is in Treaty of Waitangi settlement negotiations with the Crown.

It is expected to sign a deed of settlement by the end of 2018, which would be finalised in Parliament by the end of 2019.

Members of the negotiation teams from the Office of Treaty Settlements and Nga¯ ti Maniapoto recently attended a Horizons strategy and policy committee meeting to speak about how the iwi and council might work together in a post-settlement environment.

James Mitchell, from the office, said there were already ways the iwi and council worked together, such as Te Awa Tupua – the framework that gave the Whanganui River its own legal personality.

However, there were also times when iwi and the council could work on an individual basis.

Iwi negotiation manager Steven Wilson said the iwi had its own environmental management policy, which he compared with Horizons’ One Plan. The One Plan is what the council uses to manage natural resources in its area.

‘‘We want to restore, maintain and protect the quality of the waterways,’’ Wilson said. ‘‘That’s not dissimilar to council’s own goals, I imagine.’’

Nga¯ ti Mainapoto negotiator Sir Wira Gardiner said it was about the iwi having a chance to offer solutions. ‘‘There is no doubt the current Government will be confronted with one of the biggest issues of this century – water.

‘‘Maniapoto is ready to participate in that debate.’’

Council chairman Bruce Gordon said he welcomed any challenge from the iwi about how Horizons could do better. ‘‘Our goals align very well.’’