Working with Māori

We are committed to working with Māori to build strong, connected and successful whānau, hapū and iwi and protect our natural resources.

To do that, we know we need to maintain our relationships with mana whenua. We need to have clear goals and aims which let us track how we are doing. We also need to be open to new ways of doing things, and we need to help taurahere/mātāwaka to participate fully in whole of community issues (eg, responses to natural and other emergencies).

Greater Wellington’s partnership with mana whenua is described in detail in the Memorandum of Partnership which is due for review in 2018/19.

This partnership can be seen in action through mana whenua representation in Greater Wellington groups, committees, projects and land management arrangements.

Ara Tahi Committee

Ara Tahi is a leadership group made up of members from Greater Wellington and our six mana whenua partners, including Ara Tahi Chair Mahinarangi Hakaraia, pictured. It was a key part of developing the Memorandum of Partnership and now works to uphold and oversee that agreement.

What does it do?

• Meets to talk about strategic issues that affect both groups
• Keeps on top of the partnership with mana whenua and Greater Wellington
• Provides advice on our Treaty obligations
• Nominates and provides support for mana whenua representatives on Greater Wellington committees and advisory groups
• Engages, where needed, with other regional agencies and organisations

Each mana whenua partner, and Greater Wellington, has two representatives in the group.

Te Upoko Taiao - Natural Resources Plan Committee

Te Upoko Taiao – Natural Resources Plan committee is a group which promotes sustainable management of the region’s natural and physical resources. It has six Greater Wellington councillors and six members from the region’s mana whenua.

See the Te Upoko Taiao information page for current members and more information.

Mātauranga Māori

Mātauranga Māori means Māori knowledge, and covers both understanding of the natural world and how to interact with it. It includes historic, local and traditional knowledge, how knowledge is stored and transferred, and also covers the goals, aims and issues of mana whenua.

Greater Wellington recognises the importance of this perspective, and is working to provide a balance between mātauranga Māori and scientific knowledge into our activities and projects.

Māori economy

Greater Wellington understands the Māori economy is important not only for Māori in the region, but for the overall economic performance of the region as a whole.

The Māori economy is measured by the four capitals: human capital, social capital, financial and physical capital, and natural capital.

In order to play a part in improving outcomes in Māori economic health, Greater Wellington commissioned economic research provider, BERL, to provide information and insight into our region’s Māori economy for Ara Tahi.

See the BERL report for more information.