Mana whenua partnerships

Mai te kakano ka tipu te purapura, i ruia mai i Rangiātea

Mai ngā pūtake ka ū mai te waiora, i ū mai i a Papatūānuku

Mai i ngā raureka ka ū mai te hau ora, i ū mai i a Ranginui

Ka puāwai, ka pū ngā hae. Ka pua ngā hua, ka kākano ano

Ko tātau rā i tenei wā

Tihei mauri ora

Tihei mauri ora

From a seed a sapling grew, that was sown from Rangiātea

Through the roots flowed the waters of life, that came from Papatūānuku

Through the sweet leaves, came the breath of life of Ranginui

It blossoms and is pollinated it fruits and seeds again, hence as today to continue the cycle

Na Hirini Melbourne

For over a quarter of a century mana whenua and Greater Wellington have worked together.

Te Pane Matua Taiao (Greater Wellington Regional Council) and our six mana whenua partners work together in a unique way. This partnership is important to us, as it ensures our partners can be recognised and supported in maintaining their role as kaitiaki (guardians) of their ancestral lands.

Māori have recognised roles and responsibilities as kaitiaki (guardians) of our natural resources. They work together with Greater Wellington to achieve our dual roles of sustainably managing and protecting natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations.

Greater Wellington’s partnership with mana whenua is guided by the Resource Management Act 1991 and the Local Government Act 2002. 

Mana whenua partners

Our Māori name – Te Pane Matua Taiao

What does it mean?

Te Pane Matua Taiao is not a literal translation of Greater Wellington, instead it speaks of our values and vision for our region and people. It represents our leadership, functions and responsibilities in promoting and maintaining the social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of our region.

Te Pane – the crown of the head

Matua – first, capital, parent, primary, principal, senior

Taiao – environment, world

The name Te Pane Matua Taiao was created by mana whenua and was a koha (gift) to Greater Wellington in recognition of our partnership.