The Taupō Council’s Draft Joint Management Agreement would hand the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board unprecedented influence over local decisions. From planning and enforcement to resource consents, powers normally held by elected councillors would be subject to shared decision-making.
Taupō District Council is considering a new Joint Management Agreement (JMA) with the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board (the Trust Board). While framed as environmental co-management, the 2025 draft significantly changes how decisions are made, who makes them, and when. These changes raise significant questions about democratic accountability and the principle of one person, one vote.
From Consultation to Governance
The 2009 JMA focused on consultation: the iwi could provide input and participate in hearings relating to Māori multiple-owned freehold land.
The 2025 draft, however, gives the Trust Board influence early in the decision-making process - before policies are drafted, enforcement priorities set, and resource consent applications submitted - and applies to Lake Taupō, the Upper Waikato River, and all related catchments.
Map of Proposed Area
Key Clauses That Shift Power:
-
Joint Working Party for District Plan Changes (Clauses 65–68)
- The Council and Trust Board would form a joint staff working party for any district plan changes.
- The group jointly decides the scope, content, and recommendations for the plan.
- Outcome: Key policy decisions would be shaped prior to public consultation, giving the Trust Board significant influence over planning outcomes.
-
Monitoring and Enforcement Coordination (Clauses 49–54)
- Requires bi-annual meetings to coordinate monitoring priorities, enforcement actions, and prosecution thresholds.
- Allows the Trust Board to participate directly in enforcement decisions.
- Outcome: The Trust Board gains influence over what environmental issues are enforced and which breaches trigger action, powers normally held by elected officials.
-
Resource Consent Pre-Application Process (Clauses 82–96)
- Promotes an engagement framework with the Trust Board (or marae and/or hapū) before applications are lodged.
- The Council may defer or return applications if early engagement with the Trust Board has not occurred.
- Outcome: The Trust Board participates in the decision-making process, including in relation to appropriate conditions to be imposed should consent be granted.
Strategically Important Clause – Potential Transfer of Powers (Clauses 126–127)
- The draft references Section 33 of the Resource Management Act, which allows councils to transfer regulatory functions to iwi authorities.
- While powers are not automatically transferred, the clause creates a clear pathway for future authority shifts.
Why Concerns about the Proposed JMA Matter:
- The draft moves from consultation to shared power in policy development.
- It introduces a permanent governance committee with equal Trust Board and councillor representation.
- Operational control would extend to: planning, enforcement, resource consents, infrastructure projects, and even potential future regulatory powers.
Scope and Reach:
- Covers Lake Taupō, the Upper Waikato River, and all related catchments, far beyond the land-specific focus of the 2009 JMA (which applies to Maori multiple-owned freehold land).
- Establishes 3-year joint work plans, strategic planning, and cultural frameworks rooted in a Māori worldview and cosmology.
In Summary:
The draft JMA transforms the Council-Trust Board relationship from occasional consultation into broad, ongoing co-management. Decisions under the council's authority would now be subject to joint agreement, thus reducing public accountability and undermining equality of citizenship.
What Taupō Council must do under the law — and what the draft JMA plans to do
It is important to know the difference between what is required by law and what the council is proposing on top of that.
What the law requires in a JMA
- Roles and responsibilities: How the council and iwi will work together on resource management.
- Consultation: How iwi will be involved in plans and consent decisions.
- Recognition of iwi interests: Including cultural values, particularly relating to the Waikato River.
However, the JMA proposals go well beyond legal requirements, such as:
- Enhanced authority: The Board would have direct influence over decision-making, not just a consultative role.
- Greater influence in public decisions: Powers or influence would be granted to the Board that other citizens do not have.
- Expanded powers: The proposed joint committee would have power extending well beyond consultation and planning responsibilities.
The law is clear: JMAs are supposed to enable collaboration, not shared authority.
There is no statutory obligation forcing the Taupō District Council to sign this agreement. The law only mandates good faith negotiation, not a guaranteed outcome. And notably, once adopted, the draft makes it clear that future councils cannot easily withdraw, stating that “There is no right to terminate this agreement.” (Cl.164)
If we want local decision-making to stay accountable to the whole community, it is vital to voice our concerns
Residents and other concerned New Zealanders are encouraged to contact the mayor and councillors of Taupō to oppose the proposed JMA and to ensure the importance of equal representation and transparent governance is clearly heard.
Mayor John Funnell - Email: [email protected]
The contact details for the other councillors are available here: https://www.taupodc.govt.nz/council/mayor-and-councillors
N.B. Taupo Council’s third briefing on the proposal will be held from 12:30 – 1:30 pm on Thursday, 19 March at the Council Chambers, 67 Horomatangi St, Taupo. The public is welcome to attend, and it will be live-streamed on the Council's YouTube Channel. For details, see their Facebook post HERE
References
JOINT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT REGARDING TAUPŌ MOANA AND THE UPPER WAIKATO RIVER
Joint Management Agreement with Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board – Workshop 3 July 2025
YouTube: Taupō District Council JMA workshop 24 February 2026