The why

Many New Zealanders feel a connection to water. For Māori, each body of water has its own mauri (life force).

The special relationship the five river iwi have with the Waikato and Waipā rivers and catchments is expressed through Te Ture Whaimana o Te Awa o Waikato - The Vision and Strategy for the Waikato River. Created through the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process, it has legal status as the primary direction-setting document for freshwater policy relating to the Waikato and Waipā rivers, trumping all other plans.

Integral to Te Ture Whaimana is the concept of Te Mana o te Awa, which refers to the spiritual authority, protective power and prestige of the Waikato River.

Similarly, Te Mana o te Wai - a national policy requirement - is about recognising the vital importance of clean, healthy water for maintaining the health of our waterbodies, freshwater ecosystems and the communities that rely upon them for their sustenance and wellbeing. To give effect to Te Mana o te Wai, a requirement is that we work with iwi and hapū – those who have Treaty of Waitangi settlement agreements and those still to settle, such as Hauraki.

Lots of work has been done in communities across the region to reduce contaminants to water, helping improve the health of our catchments and waterways. But we all need to do more to protect this critical resource which provides us with food and recreational opportunities, gives us our drinking supplies, generates power and keeps businesses moving.

Protecting water is not just about reducing contaminants. The changing climate is affecting the availability of water. In the 10 years to 2020, the region recorded the lowest average rainfall in more than 50 years. Less rain and more evaporation has resulted in decreased river flows. At the same time, water use has increased.

We need to use water strategically to ensure there is enough to go around. Our communities need to know how to make the most of every drop using smart ways of capturing, storing, using and recycling water.