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About the Trust
Te Arawa River Iwi Trust was established by Trust Deed on 20 May 2009. The Trust works on behalf of three iwi affiliate: Ngati Tahu- Ngati Whaoa , Ngati Kea – Ngati Tuara and Tuhourangi. The Trust was established to:
Represent the iwi affiliates in the Co-Management Framework for the Waikato River Assist the iwi affiliates to exercise their kaitiakitanga Act as a forum for iwi affiliates to work together on issues relating to the River. The Te Arawa River Iwi Trust has its origins in the settlement of historical claims for Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa. Under the Te Pumautanga Settlement Deed, dated 11 June 2008, the Crown recognised the interests of the Te Arawa River Iwi in the Waikato River and its environs, from Huka Falls to Pohaturoa. The Crown undertook to provide co-management arrangements in recognition of their interests, which were to be no less than those provided to Waikato-Tainui.
On 9 March 2010 a Deed in relation to a Co-Management Framework for the Waikato River was signed and on 26 October 2010 the Ngati Tuwharetoa, Raukawa, and Te Arawa River Iwi Waikato River Act 2010 was enacted to provide legislative recognition of the Co-Management Deed. The purpose of the Act is to restore and protect the health and wellbeing of the Waikato River for present and future generations.Together, the Co-Management Deed and the Act:
Recognise the significance of the Waikato River to the Te Arawa River Iwi Recognise the Vision and Strategy for the Waikato River Establish and grants functions and powers to the Waikato River Authority Establish the Waikato River Clean-up Trust Acknowledge and provide a process that may recognise certain customary activities of Te Arawa River Iwi Provides co-management arrangements for the Waikato River. -
Our Trustees
The governing body of the Trust comprises of two appointed representatives from Te Runanga o Ngati Tahu-Ngai Whaoa Incorporated, Te Runanga o Ngati Kearoa Ngati Tuara Trust and Tuhourangi Tribal Authority.
NB: Grace Hoet is absent
To read more about our Trustees, click here.
The Trustees are:
Roger Pikia (Chair) Rawiri Te Whare Eru George Eugene Berryman-Kamp Grace Hoet Wally Lee -
Our People
The management body of the Trust comprises of a General Manager, two Senior Policy Analysts and a Funding and Projects Manager.
General Manager: Tina Porou Senior Policy Analyst – Legal compliance: Tamara Mutu Senior Policy Analyst – Environmental: Simon Mutonhori Project and Funding Manager: Bella Tait -
Historical Account
The interests of the Te Arawa River Iwi in the Waikato River have been affected by the loss of land through the operation and impact of the native land laws, Crown and private purchasing of land, and alienations under Public Works legislation for a number of purposes.From the 1920s, the Crown embarked on a series of hydro-electricity developments which affected the both the Waikato River and the land adjacent to it. Dams were constructed, control gates and a diversion channel were all built and had a direct impact on the nature and flow of the River and it’s tributaries.
In addition specific geothermal sites around the Waikato River were either destroyed or adversely affected as a result of this modifications. The loss of these geothermal resources and the displacement of our people have caused considerable distress to Te Arawa River Iwi.
The Crown acknowledged that we have been denied our rights and interests as a result of this dispossession and as a consequence the Crown acknowledges the obligation that we feel to protect the Waikato River.
The Deed therefore recognises the special relationship that Te Arawa River Iwi have with the Waikato River and reiterates the rights of Te Arawa River Iwi to assist the restoration of our mana whakahaere.
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Statement of Significance of the Waikato River
The Waikato River flows from its source on the south side of Ruapehu to Te Puaha o Waikato and includes its waters, banks and beds ( and all minerals under them) and its streams, waterways, tributaries, lakes, fisheries, vegetation, flood plains, wetlands, islands, springs, geothermal springs, water column, airspace, substratum and mauri.The Waikato River and its catchment is a resource of great cultural, historical, traditional and spiritual significance to the people of Ngati Tahu-Ngati Whaoa, Ngati Kearoa Ngati Tuara and Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao .
Our relationship with the Waikato River and its tributaries, and our respect for it, gives rise to our responsibilities to protect the River and all it encompasses, and to exercise our mana whakahaere in accordance with long established tikanga to ensure the wellbeing of the River.
We continue to exercise our mana, along with customary rights, and exert the rights and responsibilities of kaitiakitanga in relation to the Waikato Awa within our rohe.
