Our long-standing partnership with Mana Whenua

Council is absolutely committed to its partnership with Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai, Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki and Ngāti Toa Rangatira and the Whakaaetanga Hononga Partnership Agreement it has held with the three Mana Whenua partners since 1994.

This involves a commitment to working via Te Whakaminenga o Kāpiti, the partnership mechanism for advancing matters of shared interest that was established in 1995. Council is committed to working directly with each partner on matters relevant to their role as kaitiaki and of specific interest within their rohe.

The Council will continue to advance the agreed strategic work programme and to work with Mana Whenua to respond to the interests and concerns of their iwi, hapū, whānau and the mātāwaka residents within the rohe. It will also seek creative ways to advance wider understanding of tangata whenua history, interests and vision for the wider community.

The past - Whakahoatanga Manatu 

The original Whakahoatanga Manatu Memorandum of Partnership was signed in 1994 by the late Te Pehi Parata, and Rupene Waaka (not pictured), John Barrett, Miria Pomare, Councillor Harold Thomas, and the late Mayor Brett Ambler.

In 1995, Te Whakaminenga o Kāpiti, a forum created for decision making and collaborative engagement on mutually agreed priorities, was established.

The present - He Whakaaetaanga Hononga

Mana Whenua and Council renewed their Whakaaetanga Hononga Partnership Agreement at a Te Whakaminenga o Kāpiti 30-year anniversary event, hosted by Raukawa Marae, Ōtaki on Friday 27 June 2025.

The Agreement recognises the partnership as one of the longest-standing between Mana Whenua and local government in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Agreement is a living document grounded in Te Tiriti, shaped by tikanga, guided by shared values, and recognises the important and unique roles both Mana Whenua and Council play in defining future-focused outcomes for the Kāpiti Coast. 

The Agreement introduces four mātāpono (principles) as a guiding framework:

The Agreement reflects our intent to lead together with integrity, relate to one another, respond to challenges, and carry out our responsibilities across time, projects and governance changes. 

Partnership agreement [PDF 1.16 MB]

The future

The Agreement builds strong foundations for our mokopuna and upholds the mana of our respective roles and communities, upholding thethe weight of those who came before us and the responsibility of those who will follow. 

The meaning of Whakaminenga

The use of “Whakaminenga” recognises the cornerstone of He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Niu Tireni, the Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand signed in 1835.

The signing by Council and Mana Whenua representatives is not just procedural, it’s a commitment to partnership, to equity, and to honouring the mana of all those who came before us.

It is also a challenge – to ensure that future generations inherit not just the documents we sign, but the values we uphold.

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