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.

‘Co-governance’ is an emerging and developing model of decision-making in New Zealand. The term refers to a shared governance arrangement - with representatives of iwi on one side, and representatives of central and/or local government on the other, each side having equal voting rights at the decision-making table.

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) is supposedly an independent Crown entity, but this is no longer the case. It appears to be greatly influenced by the National Iwi Chairs’ Forum, a group seeking a profound change to the existing political order.