Māori Perspectives on
Water Allocation
Executive summary
Although the long-held connection that Māori have with freshwater resources and
their role as kaitiaki in managing them has been formally recognised in New Zealand
legislation and policy, there remains a gap between these initiatives and the realisation
of Māori values in water-planning processes. As pressure on our water resources
increases, the Government is preparing to revise the current system for water
allocation to make it more efficient and effective for meeting the needs of all those
with interests in water.
It is essential Māori values are understood and accounted for when decisions are made
regarding water allocations within these systems. In this context, then, increasing
Māori involvement in freshwater management, including water allocation processes,
has become a key component of the Government’s programme to improve water
allocation decisions.
The objective of the Joint Work Programme agreed by Ministers and iwi leaders in
July 2008 is to enhance decision-making in freshwater management by having greater
and more consistent involvement of Māori and incorporation of Māori perspectives at
the national and regional levels. In order to further that work, the Ministry for the
Environment is seeking to gain an understanding of Māori perspectives on water
allocation.
This engagement involved a series of interviews and focus groups with iwi and hapū
and regional council staff involved in water allocation. Overall, this engagement
revealed widespread dissatisfaction among iwi and hapū as to how the current water
allocation system provides for their values and interests.
Last updated: December 2010
