South Taranaki’s local tribes (iwi) and council have created a new partnership agreement. The He Pou Tikanga Partnership Strategy explains how the South Taranaki District Council plans to improve collaboration with the area’s four iwi. The agreement was made by the council and the iwi’s governance groups. It includes staff from both sides working together, with the council funding the partnership.
The agreement states that the iwi should be involved in the development of council policies, service delivery, special projects, and decision making. More resources from the council and other sources are needed for the iwi to participate. Mayor Phil Nixon said it’s essential for staff from both sides to work together.
The council’s iwi committee endorsed the partnership for inclusion in the 2024-34 long term plan. However, the new government plans to reduce co-governance with Māori, including in local government rules. The new Minister for Regulation, David Seymour, said the replacement rules would focus on property rights.
Mayor Nixon hopes the government will continue to support localism. He said the council has a good relationship with the iwi and wants to continue building on that. The agreement also requires that any Māori council wards established without a referendum, including two in South Taranaki, face a referendum at the next local body elections. Nixon hopes the community will support the wards and the new partnership agreement.
The partnership took over three years to negotiate. Iwi representatives are excited about its potential. They believe it will lead to greater cooperation and trust between the iwi and the council, benefiting the district. The agreement also outlines further plans for local democracy.
