Speech delivered today by Raukawa Charitable Trust Chairman George Rangitutia at the historic Joint Management Agreement signed between the Raukawa Charitable Trust and Waikato Regional Council relating to co-management of the Waikato River.

The agreement was signed at Pikitu Marae southwest of Putaruru and relates to Raukawa interests in the catchment upstream of Karapiro.

It is my great pleasure to welcome you all here today.

And, on behalf of Raukawa, it is my priviIege to extend the warmest of greetings to Waikato Regional Council chairman Peter Buckley, councillors and staff on this wonderful occasion.

Today marks another milestone in the co-management framework for the Waikato River. Raukawa have waited a long time for this opportunity.

This Joint Management Agreement is the first that we will sign with our partners and this pact builds on the strong relationship we have formed with the Waikato Regional Council

Importantly, this JMA recognises that change is required to achieve the vision we share for the Waikato River.

Today’s signing ceremony heralds a new era in co-operation between Raukawa and the Waikato Regional Council.

Together we will strive to restore the health of our mighty waterway and protect it, for present and future generations.

There is strength in unity. Raukawa, the Waikato Regional Council, our river iwi partners, stakeholders and statutory body the Waikato River Authority, face huge challenges in reviving our awa after years of degradation. We will not shirk our responsibilities.

Indeed, responsibility is a key word. All those – from the smallest voices to the largest – who have a love for the Waikato River must do their duty in what will be a gigantic cleanup operation.

We acknowledge that it will take time but we must not waver in our determination. We must remember that in 80-100 years from now, this day may come to represent a pivotal point in the history of the Waikato River.

Peter, I wish to thank you and your staff for the positive approach that you have adopted in the development of the JMA. The way in which we work together is absolutely critical for ensuring good outcomes and we have enjoyed that journey to date very much.

The Waikato River – a taonga to our people – is the longest in Aotearoa. It winds its way over more than 400 kilometres, though towns and a city, past farms and factories, into hydro lakes and over dams, as it flows to the ocean.

On its journey the Waikato River has been subjected to ills that include nutrient runoff from farmland, other pollution, the buildup of silt and bacteria. The fish, once plentiful, have declined to alarming numbers and plant life has deteriorated. The water quality has suffered and the ecological balance has been disturbed.

Raukawa, reduced to passive observers for decades, have watched in dismay as our taonga has ailed. This is why we celebrate today’s signing as momentous step that allows our people to resume guardianship of the river with friends, such as Waikato Regional Council.

Our agreement with the Waikato Regional Council relates to Raukawa interests in the catchment upstream of Karapiro. It is a groundbreaking pact in which we acknowledge how important it is to revive the Waikato River – for the sake of all New Zealanders.

For Raukawa this agreement is crucial. It enables us to uphold our rights and responsibilities as kaitiaki, as mana whenua, and to ensure our ahi kaa roa (keeping our home fires burning).

Our tupuna will rejoice at the renewed efforts to protect the mana of the Waikato River, for the river has nurtured, fed, cleansed and healed our people.

The agreement provides for an enduring and definitive relationship between Raukawa and the regional council in the preservation of the Waikato River.

It presents a real opportunity for our people to integrate our world view, environmental aspirations and our skills and experience from living within this rohe for over 600 years to local government.

We are very passionate and excited about the JMA and the impact it will have for our people and within our rohe.

We hope to see measurable change over the next 10 years but importantly, this is about the next generation, leaving Papatuanuku in a better state and being active guardians within our own rohe.

The co management framework is new and exciting. There are no templates and no guidance, but there is a commitment from us to work constructively and positively

Peter, I would like to thank you for the leadership and support you have shown during this process. I would also like to thank you for your support as co-chair on the Joint Management Committee and I look forward to working with you on the implementation of this agreement.

To everyone gathered here today, we unite to walk a path that others can join and one which leads to our ultimate goal – a pristine Waikato River.

ENDS

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