Beyond Consents: Watercare's Journey to Honouring Te Tiriti O Waitangi

Te Tuanui Paki (Watercare), and Kuiarangi Paki (Watercare)

Understanding Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Te Tiriti), treaty settlements and settlement mechanisms from a water industry perspective can be both challenging and confronting. The settlement landscape itself is often complex. Iwi at different phases of the settlement process means capacity can be a barrier for participation on significant issues like water.

Historically, consents are the first touch point of engagement with iwi. But we must view this as the beginning and not the end. For Watercare, navigating our place and purpose under Te Tiriti, has seen a shift in the way we do our mahi. Guided by Auckland Council’s ‘Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau’ Māori outcomes wellbeing framework, we are on a journey to move beyond the conditions of a consent, to understanding what it means to be a genuine Te Tiriti partner.

This paper explores the steps Watercare has taken to create meaningful partnerships with the 19 mana whenua of Tāmaki Makaurau. We will discuss examples of kawenata (agreements) Watercare has in place with mana whenua partners including Te Kawerau ā Maki and Waikato-Tainui. These kawenata are vehicles for collaboration and we will share insights and learnings into the arrangements Watercare has implemented to support the intent of broader settlement aspirations.

Statutory recognition of Te Tiriti and Te Mana o Te Wai through the proposed water reforms means Watercare will need to pivot in essential aspects of our service delivery arrangements. Much like Water New Zealand’s own strategic purpose, ‘Ka ora te wai, ka ora te whenua, ka ora ngā tāngata,’ Te Mana o Wai recognises the life-supporting capacity of wai and the relationship it has with the environment and our communities.

This paper also outlines the approaches Watercare is taking to build staff capability and knowledge of Te Mana o Te Wai through workshops and training programmes. This includes ways Watercare can better support and resource mana whenua to achieve their vision for Te Mana o Te Wai alongside us, and the development of strategies that demonstrate best practice of Te Mana o Te Wai principles.