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Historic Signing to Protect Waikato River

9 February 2012

Joint media release - Hamilton City Council and Waikato-Tainui

In an historic first, Hamilton City Council and Waikato-Tainui will tomorrow sign an agreement marking a new era of partnership between both organisations around caring for the Waikato River.
 
A signing ceremony will take place at Waikato Museum on Friday 10 February, where the Joint Management Agreement will be signed by Hamilton Mayor Julie Hardaker, Waikato-Tainui Te Arataura Chairperson Tukoroirangi Morgan, and chief executives Barry Harris and Parekawhia McLean. The historic ceremony will also attended by local Members of Parliament, Hamilton City Councillors and the Waikato-Tainui Executive.
 
The Agreement heralds a new era of co-management between both parties around restoring the health and wellbeing of the Waikato River, as well as marking the beginning of a stronger working relationship between Waikato-Tainui and Council.
 
It has been developed over the past 18 months and follows the Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Act in 2010. Hamilton City is the first Council along the length of the Waikato River to sign a full joint management agreement with Waikato-Tainui, which is a legislative requirement under the Act.
 
Key areas covered by the Agreement to co-manage the River include monitoring and enforcement, planning documents, resource consents, relationship management, reserves and authorised customary activities.
 
Commenting, Tukoroirangi Morgan says: “The formal recognition of our relationship with the Council entrenches our collective aspirations to enhance and protect the health and well being of our Awa. Today, Waikato-Tainui and the Council have accepted a responsibility to restore our Awa, through empowering our people and the community, and ensuring a legacy for our tamariki.”
 
Hamilton Mayor Julie Hardaker says: “The Waikato River is a taonga for us today as well as for future generations, and this historic agreement recognises the role the city of Hamilton has, alongside Waikato-Tainui in protecting and nurturing the River.
 
“I am honoured to sign this Agreement on behalf of Hamilton city, and look forward to a positive and productive working relationship alongside our partner Waikato-Tainui.”
 
 
ENDS
 
The signing ceremony at Waikato Museum will take place close to the sacred Te Winika waka, which was gifted by Dame Te Atairangikaahu to the people of Hamilton City in 1973 as a gesture of harmony and goodwill from Waikato-Tainui.
 
Media who would like to attend the signing ceremony on Friday afternoon should contact Tracy Buckland at Hamilton City Council or Parekawhia McLean at Waikato-Tainui, contact details below.
 
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
​Name: Julie Hardaker​
Designation:​ Hamilton Mayor​
Tel (Direct):​ 07 838 6976​
Email:​ Mayor@hcc.govt.nz
 
Name: Tracy Buckland​
Designation:​ Hamilton City Council Communication Manager​
Tel (Direct):​ 07 838 6434​
Mobile:​ 021 815 604​
Email:​ Tracy.Buckland@hcc.govt.nz

Name: Tukoroirangi Morgan
Designation:​ Chair, Te Arataura
Mobile:​ 021 791 446
 
Name: Parekawhia McLean​
Designation:​ Chief Executive - Waikato Tainui
Tel (Direct):​ 07 824 8689
Mobile:​ 021 403 024
Email:​ pmclean@tainui.co.nz