Whaitua guiding principles

Whaitua Committees work in partnership with mana whenua and develop recommendations guided by the principles developed through the regional plan review process by Te Upoko Taiao – Natural Resource Committee.

The five guiding principles are:

Ki uta ki tai: connectedness

Wairua: identity

Kaitiaki: guardianship

To matou whakapono: judgement based on knowledge

Mahitahi: partnership

Developing Whaitua Implementation Programmes (WIPs)

Whaitua Committees work closely with their local community and stakeholders to develop a Whaitua Implementation Programme to suit local needs. A WIP will describe the ways in which the people from that catchment want to manage their water now and for future generations through a range of integrated tools, policies and strategies.

Regulatory recommendations in the WIP will go to Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) for approval to be included in a plan change process and become a chapter in the Natural Resources Plan. Non-regulatory recommendations will be developed by GWRC with relevant external organisations.