Water New Zealand applauds council and iwi for first

Water New Zealandis applauding Gisborne District Council and Ngati Porou for working together in forming an agreement, the first of its kind, in relation to the co-management of the Waiapu River under the Resource Management Act.

“This agreement shows a willingness of council to work with the Maori community on river management issues that are of interest to the local community, says Water New Zealand CEO, JohnPfahlert.

“Up until now the only other co-management arrangements have been ones based on specific changes – Whanganui and Waikato rivers as part of Treaty settlements.

“The Resource Management Act provides for the establishment of joint management agreements under section 36 – this doesn’t apply just to just rivers but the management of any resources with another party.

“Perhaps the surprise is that the Act was amended to make provision for joint management agreements in 2005 – it has taken 10 years for the first.”

The agreement provides for the development of a catchment management plan and joint decision making on how water is used: quality, quantity, limits and targets.

Mr Pfahlert says he hopes to see more collaboration between iwi and councils in the future.

ENDS

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