Whanganui iwi have successfully convinced the Whanganui District Council to adopt a proposal to create of a platform for joint initiatives that detail how the council is to partner with the post-settlement governance entity proposed by the Whanganui Land Settlement Negotiations Trust (WLSNT).
At the council’s strategy and policy committee meeting of 28 November 2024, when this issue was discussed, Mayor Andrew Tripe emphasised the unprecedented nature of the partnership, referring to it as ‘a world-first indigenous-council partnership.’
The three elements of the platform proposed by Whanganui Māori, and accepted by the Whanganui District Council at their meeting on February 13 are:
1. Adopt a legally binding and enduring iwi-council relationship agreement, Te Tomokanga ki Te Matapihi. This relationship agreement, proclaimed as establishing a “transformative” partnership to acknowledge shared and distinct responsibilities, and which would “foster iwi participation in decision-making and the collaborative management of lands, resources and socio-economic strategies”.
This proposed Relationship Agreement has been agreed to by the council. It includes provisions that will explore and develop meaningful processes that enhance Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui’s involvement in all Council’s decision-making; and explore and develop governance and management opportunities in relation to identified land and lakes, (cl. 22 & 26).
As an initial priority within the first six months from the date of the Agreement, the parties will continue to explore potential ownership, governance, management and administrative arrangements for a list of sites, (cl. 28).
Within 12 months of the date of the Agreement, the parties will explore potential approaches for a long-term strategy to:
(a) Provide Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui with an opportunity to acquire Council owned land, or where transfer is not possible, to provide a right of first refusal or long-term lease to Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui; and
(b) Provide a right of first refusal or long-term leases to Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui specifically over Harbour and City Endowments land proposed for disposal by Council, (cl.30)
The relationship agreement notes an intention to transfer 128ha of land on Airport Road and South Spit to Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui via settlement legislation.
For more details, view the draft Relationship Agreement here: https://www.whanganui.govt.nz/files/assets/public/v/1/consultations/whanganui-land-settlement/draft-relationship-agreement.pdf
2. Enter into a Statutory Reserves Board to manage specific reserves. This board would be responsible for the management of several Crown-owned, council administered parks and reserves. N.B. Reserve land owned by or vested in a local authority is generally not available for use in Treaty settlements unless the local authority offers it for use. For more on the Statutory Reserves Board, click HERE
Additionally, the establishment of a Lakes Trust between WLSNT and Council for the co-governance of identified lakes, allowing for the continuity of public use and access “in a culturally appropriate way.”
3. Agree to the establishment of a charitable trust, Toitū te Whānau, through which the council and iwi would take a joint approach to economic and social well-being.
The Trust will work with various agencies and groups to develop a strategic plan, as referenced in the Whanganui Land Settlement Crown offer dated 11 October 2019, which suggested: "The devolution of all social services decision-making affecting the Whanganui District to iwi and local authorities."
WLSNT are still in the early stages of developing and shaping this concept in partnership with Crown agencies," the council is reported as saying.
The Trust will have shared leadership with three members from hapū/Iwi, two from the council, one from Takapau Whariki, (the post-settlement governance entity), and one from the wider community. N.B. This arrangement would place majority control of the Trust in hapu/iwi hands.
One important factor often overlooked in the context of a Treaty settlement is the set of key Crown requirements that a Post-Settlement Governance Entity (PSGE) must fulfil. One key requirement is that the PSGE must operate for the benefit of its iwi members. Additionally, the tikanga concept of whakapapa demands ultimate loyalty to the extended family and tribe. Given this obligation, creating co-governance arrangements over public resources - along with the socio-economic strategies proposed in Whanganui – could potentially lead to conflicts of interest. This is because the iwi/Māori partner, (who will have veto power), is expected to prioritise the tribes' interests, which may at times conflict with the duty of the Government, (both central of local government), to serve the interests of the wider community. And then there is the obvious fact that one half of the partnership has not been elected by and therefore has absolutely no accountability to the public.
References
- TE TOMOKANGA TOITŪ TE WHĀNAU - a Bold Vision for Whanganui’s future
- Whanganui District Council: A relationship agreement
- Toitū Te Whānau - Collaboration on local wellbeing
- Whanganui District Council Strategy and Policy Committee Agenda - 28 November 2024. For the link to the video recording of the meeting, click HERE
- Whanganui District Council: Joint media release with Whanganui Land Settlement Negotiations Trust
- extract-from-the-council-meeting-minutes-11-december-2018.pdf
- Mair and Mayor lead community panel kōrero
- Whanganui District Council meeting 13 February 2025: YouTube recording
Media coverage
Te Ao Maori News: ‘Something to be proud of’: Whanganui council signs up to iwi partnership
Community Scoop: Whanganui Council-Iwi Agreement: How Will This Work?
NZ Herald: Whanganui mayor says iwi-council partnership will bring better community outcomes
RNZ: Whanganui council-iwi agreement: How will this work?
RNZ: Whanganui council moves toward landmark iwi partnership
Whanganui Chronicle 17 Nov 2018: Document reveals iwi's wishlist in Whanganui treaty settlement negotiations