Waikato River Authority

Waikato River Authority
Co-Governance in Action Roger Pikia RMLA Conference 2011

VISION AND STRATEGY

Co-Governance of the Waikato River Entering a new era of co-governance and co-management Change needs to occur to restore the Waikato River and its catchment Previous management and governance styles have failed the River and it communities

Waikato River Iwi Relationships Ngati Tuwharetoa Te Arawa Ngati Raukawa Ngati Maniapoto Waikato -Tainui The Clean-Up Trust received $21m initially, then $7m p/a for 27 years River Iwi

Tools for Iwi to Engage

Key aspects of the Co-Management Deed

Examples of Co-management Arrangements

Joint Management Agreements

Joint Management Agreement - process

Regulations and By-Laws

Waikato River Authority

Purpose Vision and Strategy Set the primary direction through the vision and strategy to achieve the restoration and protection of the health and wellbeing of the Waikato river for present and future generations Leadership Promote an integrated, holistic, and co-ordinated approach to the implementation of the vision and strategy and the management of the Waikato river Clean-up trust Fund rehabilitation initiatives for the Waikato river as trustee of the Waikato river clean-up trust

Other Functions Advisory Function to: Local authorities on giving effect to vision and strategy through RMA Planning documents Management agencies to achieve integrated, holistic and co-ordinated Approach to implementing the vision and strategy The environmental protection authority (power to request call-ins)

Other Functions Monitoring Function Carry out effectiveness monitoring - 5 yearly report to crown and iwi RMA Hearing Commissioners Maintain register of iwi-appointed commissioners Appoint accredited commissioners to • Relevant environment Waikato hearing committees • Relevant boards of inquiry

A Co-Governance Era: Opportunities and Challenges Provides for innovation and change Creates a vehicle for tangata whenua to restore the Waikato River Provides a platform for enduring, effective relationships across the community. Builds on a range of aspirations for the river and uses collective values to restore the river. Resourced to make a change. Provides legislative teeth to empower tangata whenua in positive ways. Shares decision making

Challenges? Little known or understood of co-governance in the wider environment Some reluctance from those who believe it is a loss of power by traditional central and local government. Resourcing still low for the issues at hand Relationships established but some put little effort into them once created. Entrenched views are challenged creating some tensions in this first early period.

Feedback? What are your thoughts on this new regime? What are the challenges you believe will be faced in this era of co-governance/co-management? What are the opportunities?

Waikato River Authority