Whakatāne District Council and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Manawa have signed a Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreement, marking a significant milestone in how the two organisations work together on resource management and environmental care.

The agreement, signed on Monday, ensures Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Manawa have a meaningful role in environmental decisions affecting their rohe.

This is the first Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreement to be established within the district, representing an important step forward in strengthening relationships with tangata whenua.

“This is a proud moment that formalises what we have long aspired to achieve,” said council chief executive  Steven Perdia.

“This agreement ensures a genuine partnership approach to resource management that recognises and respects the role of mana whenua in decision-making processes.

“It provides clarity and certainty about how we will work together and creates a strong foundation for collaborative decision-making into the future,” he said.

Eugene Berryman-Kamp, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Manawa tumu whakarae/chief executive, said the agreement reflected the importance of formalising relationships to protect taonga and ensure intergenerational connection to te taiao.

“In this way we look to work in partnership to restore and protect our taonga within our rohe, ensuring future generations can connect with te taiao and be actively involved at all levels.

“Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Manawa place great value in formalising our relationships with our partners. This agreement will enable us to be active kaitiaki in our rohe, working in a formalised structured manner with the council to promote and protect our cultural and environmental values,” he said.

Introduced through the Resource Management Act in 2017, Mana Whakahono ā Rohe: Iwi Participation Arrangements enable tangata whenua and local authorities to agree and record how they will work together on resource management decisions.

The signing of this agreement is a positive step toward an enhanced relationship between the council and Ngāti Manawa and demonstrates a shared commitment to working together in the best interests of the district and its people.

Other iwi and hapū have expressed interest in similar agreements, indicating further Mana Whakahono ā Rohe may be developed in the future.