Horowhenua District Council and Ngāti Raukawa - MoP
Mon 4 May 2009: Horowhenua District Council and Ngāti Raukawa - MoP
The Horowhenua District Council, (HDC), and Ngāti Raukawa Hapū that live within the council boundaries have recently held meetings in January and early March 2009 to discuss and formalize a “Memorandum of Partnership”, (MoP). The Hapū involved are:
- Ngāti Wehi Wehi
- Ngāti Kikopiri
- Ngāti Pareraukawa;
- Ngāti Huia ki Poroutawhao;
- Ngāti Huia ki Matau;
- Ngāti Ngārongo;
- Ngāti Takihiku;
- Ngāti Whakatere;
- Ngāti Rakau;
- Ngāti Turanga;
- Ngāti Te Au
Overall, the formal partnership will mean that Ngāti Raukawa will be in a better position to help protect their natural resources in the Horowhenua rohe. Major issues included in the proposed MoP: are the development of “Iwi Environmental Management Plans”; active Iwi involvement in decision making processes; and the particular regard for including “Kaitiakitanga”, the Māori world view of environmental management within HDC policy processes, decision making processes, and future joint projects that affect Iwi.
The MoP is currently undergoing a process of peer-review. A final MoP document will be available to look at as soon as available.
Ngāti Raukawa and the Horowhenua District Council have now entered into a new and exciting era. The MoP process has sparked a new beginning and formal expression of goodwill between both parties. Although the partnership is still in its infancy, the MoP is historically a major achievement and milestone for both Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga and the Horowhenua District Council.
