Currently, a process is underway in Auckland Council that would give two iwi - Te Kawerau ā Maki and at a later stage, Ngati Whātua - co-governance over the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park and the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area.
Another proposal currently under consideration, also initiated by Te Kawerau ā Maki, involves restricting public access to a considerable section of the regional park. This area accounts for 35% of the park's total land. Implementing this proposal would eliminate 19 tracks, with 3 being partially closed and 16 fully closed.
These initiatives have been requested by Te Kawerau ā Maki, who has presented a draft Deed of Acknowledgement to Auckland Council. In this draft, Te Kawerau ā Maki proposes the establishment of a co-managed Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Forum to promote advocacy, coordination, investment, and strategic planning. This proposed forum would facilitate coordination and joint decision-making among Te Kawerau a Maki, Auckland Council, and the Crown. The primary roles of this joint body could include developing an overarching strategic plan for the Heritage Area, developing work programmes, and monitoring the achievement of outcomes.
Geographically, the joint body's authority would encompass issues occurring within the Heritage Area or have an impact on the Heritage Area.
The Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area spans approximately 27,700ha of public and private land located between:
- metropolitan Auckland and the coast of the Tasman Sea to the west
- the Manukau Harbour coastline to the south
- the Waitākere Valley to the north.
The area includes the Waitākere Ranges, foothills and coastal areas.
The Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Act 2008 includes provisions for a Deed of Acknowledgement. This deed aims to recognize the historical, traditional, cultural, and spiritual connections of tangata whenua to the heritage area. Its purpose is to identify opportunities for contribution by tangata whenua to the management of the land. However, the proposals put forward by Te Kawerau ā Maki and Auckland Council staff go way beyond the Act's requirement. For instance, Auckland Council staff suggest that the joint body would consist of an equal number of appointees from both tangata whenua and Auckland Council/the Crown, including representatives from local boards, the Governing Body, and DOC.
The Council is currently reviewing the proposals.
During the Auckland Council Policy and Planning Committee meeting held on 10 December 2024, it was proposed that the Council move forward with in-principal agreement on the key components of a Deed for Te Kawerau ā Maki, who are the most advanced in the process, while also continuing discussions with the Ngāti Whātua entities to ensure a unified approach across all future Deeds.
Staff intend to begin initial public engagement around February 2025 on the statutory requirement for a deed and the proposed process for concluding a deed.
References
Agenda of Auckland Council Policy and Planning Committee meeting 10 December 2024