In May 2007, Te Kauhanganui received a draft Agreement in Principle (Draft AIP) as part of the tribe's outstanding Waikato River claim.

This sets out a framework with which to consult with tribal members.

The Draft AIP is not a binding doecument. It allows tribal members to give input and feedback on the content.

Over the next two months widespread consultation will take place with tribal members, river iwi, key corporate stakeholders and other interested parties. This will help us and the Crown move from a draft to the final Agreement in Principle. Once this is agreed, we will then look to finalising a Deed of Settlement.

In order to move from the draft to a final Agreement in Principle, there needs to be agreement between the Co-Negotiators and the Minister and approval by Te Kauhanganui and Cabinet.

A series of comprehensive consultation hui will be held throughout June, July and August 2007. Hui are open to all Waikato-Tainui beneficiaries.

The purpose of these hui are to explain the details of the Draft AIP and provide tribal members the opportunity to ask questions and give feedback on it. Recommendations from these hui will be used by the co-negotiatos to further the discussions with the Crown.

CONSULTATION HUI 2007

These are formal meetings with full records of attendance and discussion taken to progress the negotiations. Consultations will be from 10am - 1pm.

The primary beneficiary of this claim is Te Awa Tupuna - The Waikato River. The restoration, protection, health and wellbeing of Te Awa Tupuna, has always been the priority  in these negotiations.

Summary of the Drapf AIP

Preamble

The preamble of the Draft AIP outlines the background to our claim, the historical account of Raupatu and the Crown acknowledgements of unjust actions and omissions with respect to the river.

Key Principles

The key principles of the claim are Te Mana o te Awa (authority, protective power and prestige) and Mana Whakahaere (authority, rights of control).

To achieve recognition of the principle of Te Mana o te Awa, Waikato-Tainui promotes the concept of a korowai, a protective cloak laid over te awa tupuna, te respect and care for the River.

Mana Whakahaere refers to the authority that Waikato-Tainui and other River tribes have established in respect of the River over many generations.

To achieve these principles both the Crown and ourselves will have to work together in restoring and protecting the health and wellbeing of the Waikato River.

Through these principles and this settlement, Waikato-Tainui and the Crown hope to achieve co-management at the highest level.

Co-Management Mechanisms

To achieve co-management at the highest level, proposed mechanisms have been factored into the draft agreement.

These mechanisms provide different layers of governance and management responsibility. Each has a slightly different function and/or coverage area, with the same overarching aim of integrated co-management of the Waikato River.

They are:

• Guardians Establishment Committee
• Guardians of the Waikato River
• Waikato River Statutory Board
• Waikato River Trust

The Guardians Establishment Committee is a temporary body made up of five Waikato-Tainui representatives, and five Crown representatives.

They will develop a"vision" and draft strategy for the Waikato River. This vision will incorporate the intent of Waikato-Tainui objectives listed in the Draft AIP, objectives that represent the interests of all New Zealanders and any other objectives as considered necessary by the committee.

Once a Deed of Settlement has been signed, the Guardians Establishment Committee will be replaced by the Guardians of the Waikato River.

This body will consist of ten members, five from the participating river iwi, and five from the Crown.

The Guardians put into practice the principles of Te Mana o te Awa and Mana Whakahaere.

The Waikato River Statutory Board will consist of eight members, four from Waikato-Tainui, and four from Environment Waikato.

The board will be an expression of Mana Whakahaere over the river from Karapiro to Te Puuaha and have better input.

The Waikato River Trust will be the tribal link to Te Kauhanganui on all matters concerning the river.

Initiatives such as clean-up programs and training and employment will come from the trust. Scholarships, reserach programmes and 'tira hoe' are just some of the initiatives being planned.

Disposition, Intention of Settlement and Review Clauses

The Draft AIP also includes Disposition, Intention of Settlement and Review clauses.

These are all siginificant as they prevent the further disposition of the river. This claim is about co-management of the river. The review protects the integrity of the settlement.

Outstanding Issues

There are some key issues still under negotiation. These include financial redress, fisheries management, lands, flora and fauna. These are all very important.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Copies of the draft Agreement in Principle are available online from www.ots.govt.nz or www.tainui.co.nz

If you have any questions or feedback regarding the Draft AIP:

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or Freephone: 0800 824684 (NZ only)