Waikato River AuthorityCo-Governance in Action

Roger PikiaRMLA Conference 2011

VISION AND STRATEGY

Entering a new era of co-governance and co-managementChange needs to occur to restore the Waikato River and its

catchmentPrevious management and governance styles have failed the

River and it communities

Co-Governance of the Waikato River

Waikato River Iwi Relationships

Waikato River Authority

• 10 trustees (5 appointed by the Crown, 5 appointed by iwi)

• Trustee for the Waikato River Clean-Up Trust

Ministers and government depts

• Accords• Ministerial forum• Regulations and bylaws

Local and territorial

authorities

• Joint management agreement

• Upper Waikato River Integrated Management Plan

• Resource consents

River Iwi

The Clean-Up Trust received $21m initially, then $7m p/a for 27 years

Ngati TuwharetoaTe ArawaNgati RaukawaNgati ManiapotoWaikato -Tainui

Iwi

Accord: Local Government

Accord: Agriculture, Forestry and Biosecurity

MOU: Historic Places Trust

Accord: Energy and Resources

MOU: NZ Archaeological

AssociationAccord: Land Information

MOU: Relevant local authorities

Accord: Crown Lands

MOU: other relevant entities or agencies

Accord: Maori Affairs

Tools for Iwi to Engage

Key aspects of the Co-Management Deed

Legislative recognition of the vision and strategy

Waikato River Authority

Waikato River Clean-up Trust

Iwi objectives

Co-management arrangements

Relationship mechanisms

Examples of Co-management Arrangements

Upper Waikato River Integrated

Management Plan

Te Arawa River Iwi Environmental

Management Plan

Regulations and bylaws

Exemptions for customary activities

Joint management arrangements with

local authorities

Joint Management AgreementsResource Consent Process

LA provides TARIT with information on resource consent applicationsLA and TARIT develop and agree criteria to assist the LA decision making under specified sections of the RMA

RMA Planning documents

Convene a joint working party to make recommendations to the LAMake joint decisions on the final recommendations

Monitoring and enforcement

LA and TARIT meet at least twice a year to discuss monitoring and enforcement including priorities and iwi participation

Joint Management Agreement - process

Joint committee•Between Iwi and local authority

Progress report to Minister

In the event of disputes -•WRA will make recommendations

•If disputes remain, Minister makes final determination

Customary Fishing

• Will allow Iwi to manage customary fishing through the issuing of authorisations to fisheries managed under the Fisheries Act 1996.

• Rec to GG by 27/10/12 for regs

Fishing Management

•Will allow TARIT to recommend the making of bylaws (by the Minister of Fisheries) to restrict or prohibit fishing of fisheries managed under the Fisheries Act. 1996.•Bylaws cannot have an undue adverse effect on fishing.•Rec to GG by 12/5/11 for regs•No deadline for making bylaws

Conservation

• Consider possible regs for the management of aquatic life, habitats and natural resources managed under Conservation legislation

• By Jan 2016

Regulations and By-Laws

Waikato River Authority

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

Purpose

Other Functions

Advisory Function to: Local authorities on giving effect to vision and strategy through

RMA Planning documentsManagement agencies to achieve integrated, holistic and co-

ordinatedApproach to implementing the vision and strategyThe environmental protection authority (power to request call-

ins)

Monitoring FunctionCarry out effectiveness monitoring - 5 yearly report to crown and iwi

RMA Hearing CommissionersMaintain register of iwi-appointed commissionersAppoint accredited commissioners to • Relevant environment Waikato hearing committees • Relevant boards of inquiry

Other Functions

Provides for innovation and changeCreates a vehicle for tangata whenua to restore the Waikato RiverProvides 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

A Co-Governance Era: Opportunities and 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 handRelationships established but some put little effort into them

once created.Entrenched views are challenged creating some tensions in this

first early period.

Challenges?

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?

Feedback?