Kaitiakitanga
Local authorities are required to keep and
maintain records about iwi authorities and groups that represent hapū
within their region or district for the purposes of the Resource
Management Act (section 35A). As a starting point, Te Puni Kōkiri has
developed a national web-based database (found here:
www.tekahuimangai.govt.nz).
Te Kāhui Māngai provides information on the iwi authorities within each
region and district and the areas over which one or more iwi exercise
kaitiakitanga.
Kaitiakitanga, as defined by the RMA Act 1991 means the exercise of
guardianship by the tangata whenua of an area in accordance with tikanga
Maori in relation to natural and physical resources; and includes an ethic
of stewardship. In recent local history, human activity has resulted in
severe environmental and ecological changes in the area. Resource
depletion, water quality degradation and changes in environmental
conditions have impacted negatively on the ability for Te Aitanga a Mahaki
to exercise its role of kaitiaki.
The vision of Te Aitanga a Mahaki and the communities along the Waipaoa
River is to restore the mauri of the Waipaoa River Catchment.
An example of this in action is a programme to ensure that the tuna/eel
resource is managed sustainably and remains a taonga for our mokopuna. We
hope to continue the recording and utilising of Maori knowledge alongside
scientific information to improve the understanding of cultural values and
improved sustainable management of customary eel fisheries.
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- Environmental Inventory
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- A framework that will
allow Te Aitanga a Mahaki iwi along with local and central governments to
evaluate and enhance local rivers and waterways whilst educating and
empowering its people.
- Long Term Council Community Plan
Submission
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- Te Aitanga a Mahaki's 2006 LTCCP submission to the Gisborne District
Council
