Council supports work platform with post-settlement entity
Published on 14 February 2025
After a two-month programme of community engagement, Whanganui District Council has agreed to support a platform of work with the trust that will be established through the forthcoming Whanganui Land Settlement (Takapau Whāriki Trust) – with a majority of councillors supporting three key resolutions at a full council meeting yesterday.
The resolutions included supporting a draft relationship agreement (Te Tomokanga ki Te Matapihi) between Ngā Hapū o te Iwi o Whanganui and Whanganui District Council, subject to Hapū/Iwi ratification and authorising the Mayor to sign the agreement in its final form on behalf of the council.
A clause in the agreement was amended to reflect the council’s existing obligations under the Local Government Act 2002 (section 81).
The council’s participation in a reserves board – Ngā Tūtei a Maru Statutory Board – was passed, subject to finalisation of the Whanganui Land Settlement; and the joint establishment of Toitū te Whānau Charitable Trust with Takapau Whāriki Trust was approved, with the condition that the council reviews and approves the final Trust Deed before the Mayor signs it.
Mayor Andrew Tripe said a number of councillors were involved in an extended period of community engagement from 2 December, 2024 through to 2 February, 2025 along with the Whanganui Land Settlement Negotiations Trust and the Crown negotiation team.
Eight community engagement events were conducted, throughout January and February. In December 2024, two large events were held at the War Memorial Centre and one at Mowhanau Village and in January 2025, five community drop-in sessions were hosted at the Alexander Library, the Hakeke Street Community Centre and Library, Gonville Library, Rotokawau Virginia Lake and the Duncan Pavilion in Castlecliff. Mayor Andrew said, “All of these attracted significant and meaningful community interest.”
A survey conducted during the same period received around 1,200 completed responses, with around 35 percent identifying that they are from or live in Whanganui, or that they whakapapa to Whanganui.
Addressing concerns over the timing of community engagement, Mayor Andrew said, “My sense is that we had very strong engagement and there was opportunity for all to come forward from the community via the public events, by email or through the survey.
“It needs to be said upfront that Iwi and the Crown are negotiating a Treaty settlement – which is separate to what happens post-settlement.” He said the council was not part of the treaty negotiations, adding that there had been “some very unhelpful mistruths, exaggerations and scaremongering from various lobby groups.”
He said, for example, “Co-governance is not being embedded into the Whanganui District Council and unelected representatives are not being appointed to the elected council as implied by some groups.”
However he thanked all those who had shared their views, whether showing support for or against the proposals. “I am genuinely looking forward to what is contained in the proposed relationship agreement, which will, if voted in, be positive for our community.
“Treaty settlements in New Zealand are standard practice and offer several merits for Iwi and for the wider community: recognition of historical wrongs, cultural revitalisation, economic development, strengthening Iwi autonomy, rebuilding relationships and intergenerational benefits,” he said.
“Let’s not lose sight of what’s in front of us. Our relationship agreement is about establishing a values-based framework for delivering social and economic change for the betterment of all our community.”
He acknowledged Cr Jenny Duncan for the length of time she had been “on this journey” and thanked staff, councillors, the team from Te Arawhiti – the Office for Māori Crown Relations – and Ken Mair and members of the Whanganui Land Settlement Negotiations Trust.
Cr Jenny said, “There comes a point in time where we must start to trust each other around this table, trust our CE and trust our officers. And most of all, trust our Iwi partners that what we are embarking on is good for all of our community – fiscally prudent, cutting edge on the social wellbeing space and values based.”
Whanganui Land Settlement Negotiations Trust Chair Ken Mair said, “This was an important part of continuing the journey of strengthening our relationship through a value-based lens of Toitū Te Kupu, Toitū Te Mana, Toitū Te Whenua.
“We acknowledge everyone that has shown commitment and courage to ensure that we enhance and strengthen the health and wellbeing of our Taiao (environment), Whānau, Hapū, Iwi and Hāpori (community).”
The Whanganui Land Settlement Negotiations Trust and the Crown will finalise the settlement process, subject to Hapū/Iwi ratification. If supported, the deed will be signed and legislation introduced into parliament to complete the settlement.