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Message from the Tangata Whenua
The Memorandum of Partnership - 2008
Te Whakaminenga o Kapiti
Vision for the District
The Council's commitment
Governance and Tangata Whenua
Community outcomes
Formal representation structures
Contributions to the decision-making process by Maori
Message from the Tangata Whenua
The tangata whenua of the district are Ati Awa ki Whakarongotai, Ngati Toa Rangatira, Ngati Raukawa, including their whanau and hapu.
In the 1820-1830s, they were firmly established in the District and were signatories to the Treaty of Waitangi at Kapiti Island (14 May, 1840), Waikanae (16 May, 1840), Otaki (19 May, 1840), Motungarara Island (4 June, 1840) and again on Kapiti Island (19 June, 1840). Although the history books cite them as being allies, they were more than that; they were strongly linked through whakapapa.
Therefore, from this time until the present, the tangata whenua have practised and continue to practise their Kaitiaki/Kaitiakitanga role. From their establishment and the subsequent Council establishment in the District, they jointly developed their relationship with the Council by way of the 1994 Memorandum of Partnership.
The Memorandum of Partnership
In February 1994 a Memorandum of Partnership was signed between Ati Awa ki Whakarongotai Inc, Te Runanga o Raukawa Inc, Te Runanga of Toa Rangatira Inc and the Kapiti Coast District Council.
Click here to view a copy.
Te Whakaminenga o Kapiti
From this partnership Te Whakaminenga o Kapiti was created and is a forum for mutual decision making. Kaitiaki/Kaitiakitanga is a term that denotes the package of tikanga or practices which have a primary objective in sustaining the mauri of natural and physical resources.
Inherent in the notion of Kaitiaki/Kaitiakitanga is the understanding that members of the present generation have responsibility, passed to them by preceding generations, to care for their natural environment by protecting Mauri. Kaitiaki/Kaitiakitanga carries with it an obligation to ensure that a viable livelihood is passed on. Kaitiaki/Kaitiakitanga is inextricably linked to tino rangatiratanga as it may only be practiced by those whanau, hapu or iwi who possess tino rangatira in their iwi area.
Vision for the District
The tangata whenua base their vision on four main principles:
Principle One: Whakawhanaungatanga/Manaakitanga
That the marae as our principal home which ties tangata whenua to their areas through the physical embodiment of their ancestors and remains well maintained and thoroughly respected. The wellbeing and health of the marae determines the emotional spiritual and physical wellbeing of the people. It is the place where distinguished manuhiri (visitors) are to be extended hospitality, and where extended families meet for significant events.
Principle Two: Te Reo
It is the language of the tangata whenua through which tikanga is conveyed, and an official language of New Zealand. It is fundamental that the language, as a deeply treasured taonga left by our ancestors, is nurtured throughout the community and that the language continues to prosper and encourage future generations.
Principle Three: Kotahitanga
Through unity, we as communities have strength.
Principle Four: Tino Rangatiratanga
To continue self determination and self governance of all tribal matters. Visions include:
• that the tangata whenua role of Kaitiaki/Kaitiakitanga within the District is strong and effective and encompasses both the environmental and general wellbeing of the community
• that people feel comfortable in use of Te Reo and English - supporting the notion of Otaki as a bilingual community
• all waterways are healthy and able to be used as traditional food resources taking into account tangata whenua environmental indicators
• that the Runanga of the tangata whenua are well established and able to engage effectively, where appropriate, with agencies and communities
• that Maori representation in local government is achieved within three years
• that the tangata whenua artistic talent is fostered and successful
• within 10 years an international symposium is held in the District for all artists and the coast has an international name for producing artists
• that the District is internationally recognised as world class (food/culture/lifestyle)
• that tangata whenua establish economic development strategies
• older people have good access to health services (and other life issues - key issues for older Maori community)
• people know about tangata whenua names for the original landscape, heritage and that tangata whenua names for streets, etc, are adopted (layers - including tangata whenua history)
• the tangata whenua play a strong/central role in District Development
• capacity of resources
• water use
• settlements - quality and direction
• that the District’s heritage, cultural development, health and education flourish
• that there is a strong and effective three-way partnership between tangata whenua, the Kapiti Coast District Council and Greater Wellington - The Regional Council
• that naturalisation of immigrants is in conjunction with tangata whenua
• that the Council assists tangata whenua in the development of iwi management plans
• that tangata whenua intangible and spiritual connection/association to the land, natural and physical resources is represented and understood
• that the District appreciates law and lore.
The Council's commitment
The Council will continue to work to achieve a strong effective relationship with Ngati Raukawa, Ati Awa ki Whakarongotai and Ngati Toa iwi structures and hapu. The body for progressing this partnership, to be formalised in a Memorandum of Partnership, is Te Whakaminenga o Kapiti. All four organisations are working hard to maintain and build a worthwhile relationship.
The main emphasis has been on ensuring there are good structures and processes around the Resource Management Act. In recent years, the need to work collectively on wider issues affecting the District’s future has become apparent.
This has been acknowledged in the Council’s Sustainable Water Use Strategy where the Council identifies the importance of the iwi management plan and the iwi’s kaitiaki (guardianship role) for the Otaki River. This framework will be important when looking at the future of the northern part of the District.
The Council believes it must take a strong leadership stance in continuing to work with tangata whenua and to build positive relationships. That leadership, it is hoped, will continue to assist in building similar relationships out in the community.
The Memorandum of Partnership and Te Whakaminenga o Kapiti will continue to be the main mechanism by which the Council will develop and explore its relationship with tangata whenua. Partners are exploring the issue of Maori representation, reviewing guidelines on the best ways to work with Maori residents and ratepayers, and systems by which Maori can increase their general participation in local government and decision making.
Te Whakaminenga o Kapiti is also working with tangata whenua to increase community understanding of the Maori approach to the environment (matauranga Maori).
Governance and Tangata Whenua
This activity area includes the following services and programmes:
• elected member salaries and expenses
• management of electoral processes
• community plan processes under the Local Government Act 2002
• tangata whenua relationships
• District general expenses, e.g. legal and insurance costs.
The Community Plan area has a major role to play in the community’s wider desire for improved involvement in decision making processes. The iwi area relates to the Council’s general statutory obligations in relation to the Local Government Act 2002 and the Resource Management Act 1991.
To achieve its outcomes, the Council style focuses on:
• good communication
• provision of information and ideas around decision making
• community participation in decision making
• developing a cohesive approach to the District which also recognises local communities and communities of interest
• Local Government Act 2002 requirements.
This activity area is an important contributor to the Council’s wider strategy for working with the community. The Local Government Act (2002) places new formal requirements on the Council that replace the old Annual Plan and Long Term Financial Strategy requirements.
Formal representation structures
Kapiti Coast District Council consulted on formal representation structures during 2003. Its strategic focus on cohesiveness and the need for elected representatives to take a districtwide view, while being responsive to local communities, resulted in it adopting the formal structure of districtwide voting for 12 Councillors plus the Mayor, supported by Community Boards at the local level and based on the four main settlement areas.
This approach was overturned by the Local Government Commission which determined that the membership and basis of election to be held on 9 October, 2004 would be 10 Councillors, plus the Mayor; five elected from wards and five districtwide. There are also five community boards.
Contributions to the decision-making process by Maori
The Memorandum of Partnership between the three iwi with manawhenua status within Kapiti Coast established Te Whakaminenga o Kapiti, the forum whereby Ngati Raukawa, Ati Awa ki Whakarongotai and Ngati Toa, and Kapiti Coast District Council come together to discuss matters of mutual interest and importance in relation to iwi specific issues and wider District matters.
Two representatives from each iwi, along with the Mayor and a Councillor from the Council attend. The Te Whakaminenga o Kapiti Chairperson is rotated between all parties.
The Memorandum of Partnership provides for direct consultation with both iwi and hapu structures on specific issues, including processes under the Resource Management Act 1991. That is, Whakaminenga o Kapiti is the body that guides the general relationship and development of broad direction but is not a substitute for direct consultation on specific issues.
The Memorandum of Partnership provides for the iwi members to take overall responsibility for ensuring taurahere (Maori residents who do not have manawhenua status) have a voice and are given a place in any discussions and relevant decision making. The iwi provides guidance to the Council on this issue.
Te Whakaminenga o Kapiti has identified a work programme over the next two years which will lead into the 2006 LTCCP review:
• refining guidelines on processes to ensure adequate and appropriate taurahere involvement in decision making
• electoral structures for Maori residents
• encouragement of Maori involvement in the Council’s election and decision making processes
• exploring the concept of co-management.
The Council considers that the structures and processes in place are a successful mechanism to progress its leadership focus on maintaining and building its relationship with iwi, hapu and Maori generally. It will continue to support this approach and will participate in regular reviews with iwi of its effectiveness.
Key points to note:
• existing level of expenditure is generally felt to be adequate, provided that it is supported by a resource that actively develops the required partnerships
• there is a small increase in expenditure every three years, at the time the Local Government Act 2002 requires either a review of the Long Term Council Community Plan and/or a review of the Community Outcomes
• provision for improving resident and ratepayer computer access to the Council’s information and services.