Partnership with Whakatū Iwi

Te Tauihu iwi participation in resource management

Treaty settlements

In 2014, the eight iwi of Te Tauihu settled claims with the Crown for breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi. Treaty settlements aim to address historic breaches through a formal apology, a range of acknowledgments, and the transfer of Crown-owned land to claimants. The iwi authorities that reached settlements are:

• Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō Trust;
• Ngāti Koata Iwi Trust;
• Ngāti Kuia Iwi Trust;
• Ngāti Rārua Iwi Trust;
• Ngāti Tama ki Te Waipounamu Trust;
• Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui Trust;
• Te Rūnanga a Rangitāne o Wairau; and
• Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Toa Rangatira.

For more detailed information on settlements, you can visit the New Zealand Government's Office of Treaty Settlement website, where you can search for individual iwi and access Deeds of Settlement and other related documents.

Statutory Acknowledgements

As part of the Treaty settlements, a Statutory Acknowledgment is provided for each iwi, recognising their specific cultural, spiritual, historical and traditional connections to certain sites and areas. This type of redress supports iwi ability to engage effectively in Resource Management Act (RMA) processes. Each Statutory Acknowledgment includes a “Statement of Association”, which outlines particular cultural, spiritual, historical, and traditional association of an iwi with identified areas, further enhancing their participation and influence in environmental and resource management decisions.

Statutory Acknowledgments are to be read as attachments to RMA Plans. Read more about the Te Tau Ihu Statutory Acknowledgements here.

Alternatively, see the statutory acknowledgement document attached to Nelson City Council’s Resource Management Plan and GIS maps showing their location.

Iwi Management Plans

Iwi Management Plans are lodged by iwi authorities with the Council under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). Once submitted, these plans become key documents that Council must consider when preparing or amending RMA Plans, such as the Regional Policy Statement, Air Quality Plan or Nelson Resource Management Plan.

Under the RMA, councils are required to take into account any relevant planning documents recognised by iwi authorities when preparing or updating policy statements or plans.

These plans capture iwi worldviews and their aspirations for the sustainable management of natural resources, offering elected members and staff valuable insights into iwi priorities and concerns. By incorporating iwi management plans into Nelson City Council’s policy framework, the Council affirms its commitment to its partnership with local iwi and ensures compliance with statutory regulations.

The following Iwi Management Plans have been lodged with Council:

• Environmental Management Plan 2018 (Ngāti Tama)
• Iwi Management Plan 2002 (Ngāti Koata)
• Nga Taonga Tuku Iho Ki Whakatū Management Plan 2004 (Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Tama)
• Pakohe Management Plan 2015 (Ngāti Kuia)
• Poipoia Te Ao Tūroa Ngāti Rārua Environmental Strategy 2021
• Te Tau Ihu Mahi Tuna (Eel Management Plan) 2000 (all Iwi)