Further information - Te Pūwaha

The Te Awa Tupua Settlement Act 2017 for the Whanganui River denotes the values that must be upheld and given effect to throughout these processes. Management decisions have been made in collaboration with Te Mata Pūau in order to ensue this Act is the focal point of the project along with the values surrounding it.

A meaningful relationship was established between Horizons and Te Rūnanga o Tūpoho commencing in 2019. Significant effort was generously offered by Te Rūnanga o Tūpoho to become immersed in the project and understand what effects this would have on hapū, the natural environment and how it aligns with cultural values or more specifically, Tupua Te Kawa. Te Rūnanga o Tūpoho identified the indicative location of the buried whale bones at the North Mole and facilitated the Lower Whanganui River Infrastructure Project Te Rūnanga o Tūpoho Impact Assessment Report for Horizons Regional Council in 2020. The effects considered in this report relate to Mana Motuhake, Whakapapa, Te Mana o te Wai, Tongi Tawhito, Wananga and Mauri. This report can be found at the bottom of this webpage. Horizons would like to acknowledge the mahi Te Rūnanga o Tūpoho has contributed to the Te Pūwaha project.

The Impact Assessment Report includes the following recommendations:

• Establish and maintain a co-governance committee with Te Rūnanga o Tūpoho for the Whanganui Port Revitalisation Project:
  • This includes, but not limited to, implementation and monitoring of the project, meetings, technical cultural assessment using the Mauri compass, review and input into activities, management plans and managing project impacts.
• The establishment of management plans, demonstrating how cultural tools and thinking will be integrated into their development and delivery.
• Appointment of a Cultural Monitor and establishment of a cultural monitoring framework, including cultural practices.
• Protocol for archaeological discovery (Tāonga, Koiwi Tangata).

The recommendations provided were well considered and the receipt of these was respectfully accepted and valued.

On 18 March 2020 the political and operational representatives of Horizons Regional Council, Whanganui District Council, Ngā Tāngata Tiaki and the Whanganui Land Settlement Negotiation Trust met and agreed that the governance of the project would be guided by Tupua te Kawa, the innate values of the Te Awa Tupua legislated in the Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River Claims Settlement) Act 2017.

On 15 May 2020, the same organisations met and established the Te Pūwaha Governance Group. This group was established to provide high level oversight reflective of the Tupua Te Kawa value set through joint local government and iwi ‘ownership’ of the project. An important aspect of the appointments to this project governance group was finding community leaders with exceptional governance skills and the ability to uphold Tupua Te Kawa. Under such a value set as Tupua Te Kawa, partisanship is avoided and therefore, leaders from hapū and iwi and the Castlecliff community were identified to help govern this project work.

Through the community-led governance group, Te Mata Pūau was established as a collaboration of hapū at place within the Whanganui estuarine area, enacting the innate values of Tupua Te Kawa. Seven hapū within Te Rūnanga o Tūpoho are members of Te Mata Pūau with mandated hapū representation by Ngā Paerangi, Tamareheroto, Ngāti Tupoho me Ngāti Tumango, Ngāti Hineoneone, Ngāti Pāmoana, and Patutokotoko. Ngā Poutama Nui a Awa is also rightfully represented with in Te Mata Pūau.

On 21 August 2020 a meeting was held at Tūpoho House between Horizons Regional Council, Te Rūnanga o Tūpoho Admin, Ngā Paerangi Runanga delegate, Te Pūwaha Project Director, and Te Mata Pūau. The vision and update of work progressed by Te Mata Pūau was shared and provided clarity to support the collective hapū approach. At this meeting with Horizon Regional Council, it was agreed and recorded that the Lower Whanganui River Infrastructure Project Te Rūnanga o Tūpoho Impact Assessment Report “will support and guide the discussions of Te Mata Pūau, who will give on-going considerations to impacts at real time and across all levels of the project”.

Since this time, Te Mata Pūau have embedded themselves as key operational leaders at the centre of Te Pūwaha. Te Mata Pūau ensure that Tupua Te Kawa is upheld throughout the project and that project outcomes align with not only Tupua Te Kawa but also Mouri Ora, Mouri Awa, Mouri Tangata. Decision making is completed in partnership with Te Mata Pūau and specific roles (kaihautū and Kaitiaki) have been established to ensure physical works are compliant with and considerate of Tupua Te Kawa. Te Mata Pūau encourage community input and engagement at every step of the project and ongoing care for the awa. Planning for Te Pūwaha activities at Patapu has included several site visits and hikoi with Te Mata Pūau and the wider community to discuss and refine plans and identify opportunities for enhancements that are broader than the scope of the government-funded project.
Horizons have committed to Te Awa Tupua and He Ara Tukua Rau and these broader opportunities have the potential to contribute towards Mouri Ora, Mouri Awa, Mouri Tangata. Specific examples of how Horizons are contributing to He Ara Tuku Rau within the project are yet to be determined with Te Mata Pūau; however, a number of outcomes are being progressed and explored by Te Mata Pūau in parallel with the funded deliverables. The focus of He Ara Tukua Rau is to address historic losses and implement long-term enhancements that emphasise restoration and improve the awa and therefore the wellbeing of the community and river iwi and hapū into the future. Horizons commit to working alongside Te Mata Pūau to determine and implement an effective contribution to He Ara Tuku Rau.

The programme of work developed through this process can be viewed as distinct areas of development, which consolidate to fulfil the overarching aims of future security and protection. These areas are detailed below:

1. Reinstating and strengthening the North Mole, which extends as far upstream as the No.1 Wharf.
2. Installation of new groyne which formerly was positioned at Tanae bank to deflect flow around the spit and out the mouth.
3. Reinstatement and upgrading of the interface wall which exist as an outcrop at the beginning of the South spit as well as a 50m section of wall lining directly after the interface wall.
4. Upgrading and reinstatement of the South Mole.
5. Miscellaneous maintenance and reinstatement of a section of the South Spit upstream of Tanae Groyne.

Phase one consisted of strengthening and reinstatement of the North Mole, which was granted resource consent in October 2021. Construction under phase 1 was then initiated in December 2021.

Currently work is underway to procure and consent the works described in points 2 to 4 above.