Hands Off The Waitaks

Auckland Council is considering ending the democratic management of the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area. The Council is currently seeking public feedback on a proposed Deed of Acknowledgement that would formalise a shared governance structure between tangata whenua, Auckland Council, and the Crown.

This proposal stems from a 2022 initiative by Te Kawerau ā Maki iwi, supported by provisions under the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Act 2008, which allows for tangata whenua contribution in land management. The Act does not suggest a constitutional change to allow non-elected people to have a co-governance role over the publicly owned Heritage Area. Despite this, a joint committee is proposed to have equal representation (50/50) from both tangata whenua and the Crown/Council. This committee would be tasked with the development of strategic plans, and work programmes, monitoring outcomes, and influencing matters within or impacting the Heritage Area.

Key concerns

The proposed joint committee would grant significant decision-making power to unelected iwi members, reducing public accountability and democratic oversight over a vast area of public land. Other major concerns include potential restrictions on public access, (Te Kawerau ā Maki has indicated interest in limiting access to 35% of the regional park), as well as lack of clarity around legal authority and jurisdiction, and inadequate details in the public consultation.

Make a stand for the preservation of democratic governance over the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, on behalf of its owners — the people of Auckland.

Only by sending a message to the council can we hope to ensure the proposal is scrapped and the Waitakere Ranges remains under democratic control.

Public submissions are open until 11:59pm, Monday 28 April 2025

For more information on what Auckland Council is proposing, and details on how to make a submission, please see the Council’s ‘have your say’ page: https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/waitakere-ranges-heritage-area-deed-acknowledgement

The email address for submissions is: [email protected]

Important factors to consider regarding the proposed Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Deed of Acknowledgment.

Undemocratic nature of the proposed joint committee

It is proposed that the Deed would establish a power sharing structure where, half the joint committee is appointed to represent iwi interests, while the other half are elected local body representatives and representative/s of the Crown. If adopted, this would mean that crucial decisions about the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area would no longer be in the hands of elected representatives, but subject to veto by the iwi appointees.

Lack of transparency

The public has received minimal information about the potential terms of the proposed Deed. Although a general overview of the considerations has been made available, the actual agreement has not yet been drafted. Consequently, the public is being asked to provide feedback without enough details to form a fully informed opinion. Many questions remain unanswered.

Another layer of bureaucracy

The proposed Deed would add another layer of bureaucracy with the purpose of giving Te Kawerau ā Maki iwi a formal decision-making role in the management of the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area.

Risks of institutionalising racial division

The joint committee would institutionalise racial division, which could foster a them and us mentality - with the danger of morphing into a ‘them versus us’ mindset. This has the potential to harm social cohesion and negatively affect race relations.

Precedent it sets for other regional parks

MAKE A SUBMISSION TO AUCKLAND COUNCIL

Points to consider

The Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Act 2008 does not suggest a constitutional change to allow non-elected people to have a co-governance role over the publicly owned Heritage Area.
The proposed Deed of Acknowledgement would add another layer of bureaucracy with the purpose of giving tangata whenua a formal decision-making role in the management of the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area.
Establishing a joint committee with equal representation from tangata whenua on one side, and Auckland Council and the Crown on the other, would place a disproportionate amount of power in the hands of one sector of the community. Such an approach overlooks the principle of equality.
The joint committee would weaken democratic governance of this public space and reduce accountability to the community. The public would not be able to hold the tangata whenua members of the joint committee to account every three years and decide whether or not to replace them, like citizens can under democratic governance. Therefore, the tangata whenua members would have no incentive to take into account the wishes and interests of the rest of the community.
It is of concern that the joint committee, with half of its membership unaccountable to the wider community, may have the authority to control public access to the park. Te Kawerau ā Maki has already made it clear that they seek to restrict public access to 35% of the Regional Park.
The joint committee would institutionalise racial division, which could foster a them and us mentality - with the danger of morphing into a ‘them versus us’ mindset. This has the potential to harm social cohesion and negatively affect race relations.

SIMPLE SUBMISSION

Here is a sample submission. Please express it in your own words.

Email: [email protected]

Subject: Feedback re Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Deed of Acknowledgement

To the Consultation Team,

Feedback on the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area proposed Deed of Acknowledgement.

I oppose the introduction of the proposed Deed of Acknowledgement. As a supporter of democratic principles, I firmly reject the idea of co-governance and/or co-management by any unelected individuals or groups.

In this case, I am opposed to the establishment of the proposed joint committee with equal representation from tangata whenua, and the Council /Crown. Therefore, I request that the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area remain under the governance of Auckland Council and the Crown on behalf of all the people.

Yours sincerely,

Name

Email address

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