Taupo District Council Defers Water Management Agreement with Iwi

The Taupo District Council has decided to defer the discussion of a joint water management agreement (JMA) with the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board, disappointing local iwi representatives. On Thursday, councilors voted to postpone deliberations on the draft JMA until after the upcoming local government elections in October 2025. The decision follows concerns regarding insufficient public consultation on the agreement.

The draft JMA aims to safeguard the water resources of Lake Taupō (Taupō Moana) and the Upper Waikato River. Under this agreement, the council and the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board would work together on various initiatives, including monitoring and enforcement, district plan reviews, resource consent application assessments, and facilitating customary activities. The council is legally obligated to form such agreements with Waikato River iwi trusts, as mandated by the Waikato River Act 2010.

Following the council meeting, Taupo Mayor David Trewavas expressed his support for the JMA but acknowledged that the community had not been adequately involved in the process. He stated, “There had been a lot of misinformation and public debate around the agreement.” This led councilors to conclude that deferring the consideration of the JMA would allow the new council to better understand its implications.

In contrast, Trust Board Chair John Bishara criticized the council’s decision. He emphasized that the JMA had been collaboratively developed in alignment with legal requirements and was prepared for adoption after endorsement by the Joint Committee. Bishara noted a perceived double standard in the council’s approach, saying, “Councillors spent significant time debating whether public consultation should occur, despite receiving clear advice that consultation was not required under the Local Government Act or council policy.”

He further remarked on the implications of the deferral, stating, “This decision is out of step with the values many in our community expect and undermines the good work that has been done to this point.” In light of this, the Trust Board is now considering all available options under the Waikato River Act 2010.

The Trust Board expressed gratitude to the more than 100 Tūwharetoa whānau members who submitted their support, as well as those who attended the council vote. They reiterated their commitment to being the kaitiaki (guardians) of Taupō Moana, asserting, “We will continue to protect our taonga, āke ake ake.”

As the situation develops, the Trust Board remains focused on ensuring the protection of the water resources that are vital to both the local iwi and the broader community.