August 15, 2018
The Pou Taiao Iwi Leaders Group confirmed that it would continue to progress its own work in relation to fresh water, working on regionally focused catchment-based systems for fresh water, including developing a set of tools to assist iwi and hapū to determine solutions for their unique hydrological situations, and advancing issues relating to water quality and clean drinking water for Māori communities. The Pou Taiao Iwi Leaders Group is also clear that Te Mana o te Wai must be upheld and Iwi and hapū rights and interests must be recognised as fundamental elements of any new policy development relating to fresh water.
“The Pou Taiao Iwi Leaders Group and National Iwi Chairs Forum will continue to advance these important kaupapa”, says Mr Parata. “We also remain willing to engage directly with the Crown. However, any such engagement process must be developed collaboratively and any appointments made jointly; not determined unilaterally as the Crown has done.”