A landmark Tūhoe settlement
The details of the crown’s recent treaty of Waitangi settlement with tūhoe have been well reported but a lesser known detail is the work of Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research in facilitating aspects of the deal.
Our input in this process came largely as a result of 20 years of partnership with Tūhoe on conservation management research and advice particularly around indigenous forestry, predator control and the restoration of kiwi and kereru populations. Manaaki Whenua’s work around the governance and management of Te Urewera emerged in recent years from those long-term relationships.
Together with Tūhoe and other iwi representatives, we assessed how other models of protected area governance and management have been implemented in Australia and Canada against Tūhoe’s criteria for settlement.
Tūhoe noted that Manaaki Whenua’s work identified both the positive and negative aspects of governance and management models in other jurisdictions, and summarised for Tūhoe the values, priorities and reservations held by some major stakeholders. It also demonstrated that a form of indigenous governance would better meet Tūhoe’s criteria and vision for settlement, and that other stakeholders viewed Tūhoe’s role in the management of the area positively.
We also extensively canvased the principles and priorities of many Te Urewera stakeholders by conducting interviews and holding a summit in May where these issues were thoroughly discussed. Manaaki Whenua researcher, Dr Phil Lyver says that by the end of the summit, there was a general agreement among park stakeholders and territorial and local authorities that Tūhoe should have a lead role in the future management of Te Urewera.
Tūhoe spokeswoman Kirsti Luke said Manaaki
Whenua had assisted the Tūhoe negotiating team to access objective and tested independent opinion on key proposals now forming the design of the new Te Urewera legislation.
“Through their banked reputation Manaaki Whenua have helped Tūhoe build meaningful relationships with important stakeholders and contributers to Te Urewera. We see their involvement continuing to help strengthen the embryonic stages of increasing Tūhoe and community hands-on active obligation to the restoration of the special and protected area of Tūhoe homelands – Te Urewera.”
Manaaki Whenua researcher Rob Allen says the company’s experience with Tūhoe builds capabilities to assist other iwi during and after their Treaty of Waitangi claim and settlement process.