June 13, 2019
Co-governance future for Auckland water
Auckland Council policymakers are looking at future co-governance of water assets with Māori.
The council is working on a framework and vision for Te Mauri o Te Wai o Tāmaki Makaurau, and it has held consultation hui with the public and mana whenua.
Water strategy general manager Andrew Chin says it's not waiting for the strategy to be completed before it takes action, and it is working with marae on their infrastructure needs.
He says it is looking at its neighbours in Waikato for pointers.
"We're anticipating there will be a future of co-governance for our water bodies in Auckland. If that is the likely future, it makes absolute sense for us to reach out right at the beginning and try and build it in the most collaborative way with mana whenua, mātā waka as we can," Mr Chin says.
He says the legal personhood of the Whanganui River was an indication of what the future could hold for Tāmaki Makaurau.
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