Waiora Governance Committee

Committee responsibilities

This Committee is responsible for the promotion of the principles of co-governance and providing the mechanism for joint decision making on the Freshwater Policy Review to give effect to Te Ture Whaimana o Te Awa o Waikato to protect and enhance the health and wellbeing of the Waikato, Waipā and Ngā Wai o Maniapoto River Catchments. This Committee is also responsible for overseeing the development process of the Freshwater Policy Review, which includes the following tasks:

·     Establishing and agreeing upon a process by which the five Iwi will participate in making decisions regarding the notified Plan Change.

·     Receiving technical reports and seeking to understand their content and key messages.

·     Receiving and considering recommendations from Te Rōpū Hautū (the Joint Steering Group).

·     Reporting progress and providing recommendations to ensure compliance with relevant provisions of the treaty settlement legislation.

·     Providing oversight and making necessary amendments to the Waikato Regional Policy Statement and the Waikato Regional Plan to protect and enhance the health and wellbeing of the Waikato, Waipā and Ngā Wai o Maniapoto River Catchments.

·     Reviewing any provisions that the Council may refer back to the Committee for further consideration.

Committee members

Raukawa Charitable Trust: Trustee Nachelle Griffiths (Interim) (Deputy Co-Chair)

Te Arawa River Iwi Trust Board: Trustee Evelyn Forrest 

Te Nehenehenui: Trustee Gannin Ormsby 

Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board: Trustee Maria Nepia (Co-Chair)

Waikato Regional Council Members: Cr Bruce Clarkson (Co-Chair), Cr Noel Smith (Deputy Co-Chair), Cr Robert Cookson, Cr Mich’eal Downard, Cr Stuart Kneebone.

Waikato Raupatu River Trust: Trustee Jackie Colliar