Te Ture Whaimana o Te Awa o Waikato
Te Ture Whaimana o Te Awa o Waikato is the Vision and Strategy for the Waikato River. It is the primary direction-setting document for the river and for all activities within its catchment that affect the Waikato and Waipā Rivers.
Established through Treaty settlements, it underpins a co-governance framework led by the Waikato River Authority.
It sets out a shared vision for a future where a healthy Waikato River sustains abundant life and thriving communities, and where everyone shares responsibility for restoring and protecting the river’s health and wellbeing for generations to come.
What the vision and strategy does
Direction
Set the primary direction.
To achieve the restoration and protection of the health and wellbeing of the awa for current and future generations.
Promotion
Promote an integrated, holistic, and co-ordinated approach.
For the implementation of the Vision and Strategy.
Restoration
Fund restoration initiatives.
For the Lower Waikato, upper Waikato and Waipā River Catchments.
Our history
In 1987, Sir Robert Mahuta, the Tainui Māori Trust Board, and Ngā Marae Tōpū filed an historic claim to the Waikato River with the Waitangi Tribunal as part of the raupatu (confiscation) claims. Sir Robert sought redress for the impacts of raupatu on the health and wellbeing of the river, and on the relationship between Waikato-Tainui and the awa. The river claim was later separated from the raupatu settlement and carried forward by Lady Raiha Mahuta and co-principal river negotiator Tukoroirangi Morgan.
Through the Treaty settlement process between Waikato-Tainui and the Crown, the Guardians Establishment Committee was formed with the support of other Waikato River iwi. In 2009, the Committee achieved its objective and finalised the Vision and Strategy for the Waikato River. In 2010, the Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Act 2010 established the Waikato River Authority as an independent statutory body responsible for the guardianship of Te Ture Whaimana. This includes its periodic review and potential amendment.
Complementary co-management legislation was also enacted for the three upper Waikato River iwi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa River Iwi Trust, and Raukawa, through the Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Raukawa, and Te Arawa River Iwi Waikato River Act 2010. In 2012, the Ngā Wai o Maniapoto (Waipā River) Act brought Ngāti Maniapoto into co-management arrangements for the Waipā River.
Our purpose
We are the kaitiaki of Te Ture Whaimana o Te Awa o Waikato, the Vision and Strategy guiding the restoration and protection of the Waikato and Waipā Rivers.
As kaitiaki, we ensure Te Ture Whaimana remains the primary direction-setting framework, holding all organisations accountable for improving the health and wellbeing of the awa.
We lead its implementation across the catchment, keeping it front and centre in decision-making.
We also facilitate its ongoing review, ensuring it reflects the aspirations of River Iwi and remains fit for future generations.