Ko Waipā te awa

Abstract

This thesis examines the experience of the Ngāti Maniapoto (‘Maniapoto’) iwi in the development and implementation of their river settlement legislation, the Ngā Wai o Maniapoto (Waipā River) Act 2012 (the 'Act’) . The overarching purpose of the Act is to restore and maintain the quality and integrity of the waters that flow into and form part of the Waipā River for present and future generations and the care and protection of the mana tuku iho o Waiwaia. The restoration of the Waipā River is essential because of its considerable significance to Maniapoto. The Waipā River is connected to the health and identity of the Maniapoto people and is a taonga (gift) that contains their spiritual and physical wellbeing. The Waipā River is significant because: Te Awa o Waipā is a taonga to Maniapoto; the relationship between Maniapoto and the Waipā River is historical, intellectual, physical, and spiritual; to Maniapoto, their relationship with the Waipā River and their respect for it lies at the heart of their spiritual and physical wellbeing, and their tribal identity and culture The approach to expressing the journey of Maniapoto in the development and implementation of the Waipā River legislation required a Māori lens. I used a Kaupapa Māori approach to examine the development of the Act and again to understand the difficulties in realising the promise of the Act. The focus of this thesis is on the Maniapoto people and their experience of the Act. The Waipā River Settlement and the Waikato River Settlement are closely connected, and the study delves into the history of the Waikato River Settlement and its influence on the Waipā River Settlement. The rangatiratanga (authority) of Maniapoto within their rohe has always been paramount in decision-making. The co-governance and co-management framework however relies on a different form of decision, that of co-decision-making, which is conducted not only in partnership with the Crown but also other Waikato River iwi. Co-governance and co-management change the standard model of traditional autonomous decision-making or rangatiratanga within an iwi and potentially challenges the decisions made. The co-governance and co-management Deed agreed between Maniapoto and the Crown for the Waipā River has changed how people operate in the Maniapoto rohe and how they may have operated previously. This thesis concludes by reflecting on some of the challenges experienced by Maniapoto in the new co-governance and co-management era.