The recent signing of a joint management agreement between Te Nehenehenui and local councils marks a committment for the organisations to work together, TNN chief executive Sam Mikaere says.
“This agreement, it’s almost a consolidation of the good relationships we have had, and it just allows us to be more focused in the way we approach what we are going after and how we can work more collaboratively – both with the councils’ long-term planning but also alongside of our own. They have their LTPs and we have Te Kawau Rukuroa, which is our new standard document,” Sam said.
Instead of having relationships for the sake of having regular meetings, they could get together with vision and purpose to help both groups move forward together, Sam said.
“So, it was a really, really good day and it came one year after the marking of the Te Rangiwaituhi (the Crown apology). The signing of the joint management agreement is required under the Ngā Wai o Maniapoto (Waipā River) Act 2012 and the Maniapoto Claims Settlement Act 2022.
The agreement provides a foundation for TNN and local councils – Waitomo, Waipā, Ōtorohanga, Waikato district and Waikato regional) – to strengthen partnerships and perform functions, powers, and duties under the Resource Management Act 1991.
“It’s just another step in the right direction for us and another relationship where we can form our whanaungatanga with our groups from Ōtorohanga from Waitomo, from Waipā from Waikato,” Sam said.
“We are excited about the direction of travel with our health and wellbeing, our education, the housing focus we have for our people. We are very optimistic about our future going forward with the five Crown entities.
“We have our strategy in place, we have a great board in place that is supporting us, so we are just going to stay focused and get moving and when we address whatever comes up, we will sort through our relationship agreements we have with those Crown entities that we currently have with our settlements. We will meet with them at that time.”
Waitomo Mayor John Robertson said the joint agreement was effectively a relationship agreement, developed after the Crown settled Treaty claims with Maniapoto.
“It sets a framework on how we will work together on matters of mutual interest,” John said.
“There are a number of tangible opportunities that Te Nehenehenui and our council should explore, including how we together can increase the supply of houses in our district, how we might better support health services locally, and how we can support local marae. I am keen to see us work together now that settlement has been achieved.”
ŌDC endorsed the JMA at an extraordinary meeting in September.
Following the signing on December 4, the joint committee will meet in 2024 to discuss the development of the annual work plan and schedules within the agreement. These schedules will guide how ŌDC and other signatories may affect the aspirations of the settlement legislation.
ŌDC is committed to honouring its obligations to TNN under their respective legislation and Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles. More information regarding the JMA will be provided in 2024 following the first meeting of the committee for the year, ŌDC Kaitakawaenga – iwi rela
