7 Conclusion
For generations, Māori have voiced their concerns at the continual development of the waterways within their rohe. Māori perceive many as being degraded as a result of inappropriate use and development. In the last two decades Māori have been seeking greater recognition of their cultural beliefs, values, and practices. They are concerned that a failure to recognise their cultural values, and their customary and Treaty rights, will constrain tribal development and could damage many of the foundations of their culture and identity. This concern has surfaced in many forums in recent years, particularly resource consent hearings. Here Māori, as kaitiaki, are obligated to identify the effects (positive and negative) of resource use and development on their cultural, beliefs, values and practices.
There are major benefits for resource managers of working with iwi and applying the CHI. Irrespective of these, Māori remain committed to:
- protecting sensitive headwater catchments
- supporting abundant mahinga kai resources, particularly in important wetlands, backwaters, tributaries and mainstem rivers
- protecting the quality of the waters
- protecting other wahi tapu / wahi taonga
- protecting cultural landscapes
- developing more appropriate flow regimes
- ensuring variability in river levels
- providing a sufficient buffer, or safety margin, to mitigate the adverse effects of changing land uses on waters
- undertaking the restoration, enhancement and creation of wetland areas, to act both as flow moderators and habitats for mahinga kai species
- enhancing access throughout the river system
- addressing issues relating to changing land uses in catchments
- protecting habitats in estuaries.
Many Māori associate their well-being as individuals and as members of whanau, hapu and the iwi with maintaining the health of the natural environment. The following philosophy underlies the desire by iwi to deliver on kaitiakitanga obligations: if you do not sustain the waterways, the mahinga kai sourced from them, and sites of significance in the wider environment, then you cannot sustain yourself, honour your ancestors, or provide for the children of your children into the future. Thus sustainability and the long-term well-being of Māori are seen by some Māori as one and the same thing. We consider that this study shows that the CHI is a move towards enabling Māori and resource management agencies to fulfil their obligations to manage New Zealand's freshwater resources sustainably.
