ODC Agreement with Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Hikairo
Ōtorohanga District Council signs an historic
information sharing agreement with Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti
Hikairo
On 16 November 2010
the Chairperson of Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Hikairo, Kīngi
Pōrima signed an information sharing agreement with Dale
Williams, Mayor of the Ōtorohanga District Council.
This agreement represents a new development in the way Iwi Kaitiaki manage their responsibilities for heritage sites within the Ōtorohanga District.
“We have undertaken extensive research into all historical areas of significance to us and have recently published Te Tahuanui: Ngāti Hikairo Heritage Management Plan,” said Mr Pōrima. The Plan sets out our approach to the management of our wāhi tūpuna and wāhi tapu within our rohe. A key focus of the project was to gather together information and record all sites of importance to us so they can be protected into the future,” he said.
Mr Williams said the Council was very pleased to be associated with the work undertaken by Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Hikairo. “The Council is committed to developing robust and effective relationships with mana whenua across the district. We see this collaboration with Ngāti Hikairo to manage heritage information to be an important practical way we can respect mana whenua while doing our job as a Council. The information relates to sites of cultural, historical or spiritual significance, wāhi tūpuna and wāhi tapu (sacred sites),” he said.
The Rūnanganui has agreed to make available to the Council a layer of information relating to Ngāti Hikairo heritage sites so that the Council can fulfill its legislative responsibilities of managing and sustaining cultural heritage into the future. “This layer clearly demarcates information that can be used in the Council setting and that which is restricted to the Iwi,” said Mr Pōrima. “I am proud of the way our Resource Management Subcommittee has put this project together and completed it so professionally on behalf of the tribe,” he said.
Mr Pōrima said he was looking forward to working with Mayor Dale Williams, to further develop the relationship between the Council and Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Hikairo on matters that concern the two organisations into the future. Mr Williams also mentioned the ongoing relationship development work that the Council is undertaking with the Rūnanganui. He said “There are many opportunities to work together with Ngāti Hikairo on matters of mutual interest and concern. The Council has been looking for ways to move forward that are relevant to the overarching community of interest held by mana whenua. We are all here for the benefit of the District,” he said.
ENDS