Historic agreement
A formal relationship agreement has been signed between mana whenua iwi or hapu and Auckland Council.
The signing between Mayor Phil Goff, chairperson of Te Uri o Hau Settlement Trust Russell Kemp, and Beth Houlbrooke, chairperson of the Rodney Local Board, is the first since the unification of Tamaki Makaurau in 2010, and represents a relationship of trust and understanding.
The rohe, or boundary, of Te Uri o Hau includes Dargaville, Maungaturoto, Mangawhai, Wellsford and the Kaipara Harbour and the relationship agreement follows the Te Uri o Hau Deed of Settlement enacted in 2002.
This Treaty of Waitangi settlement redress recognises the importance of Te Uri o Hau establishing protocols with government departments and third parties.
Goff says the signing marked the first formal relationship agreement between mana whenua, iwi or hapu, and the Auckland Council since amalgamation.
Houlbrooke says; ‘‘The signing of the agreement between Te Uri o Hau and Rodney Local Board affirms their long-standing relationship and commitment to work together, and provides the opportunity for Auckland Council and mana whenua to express their commitment to a chiefto-chief relationship.’’