Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tamaki nui a rua Trust is set to be included as a Mana Whenua Partner Entity for Wellington Water Limited [WW].
South Wairarapa District Council [SWDC] became a shareholder of WW in 2019, the same year governance documents allowed for iwi representation.
Up until now, however, only two Maori authorities have been represented on the WW Committee: Ngati Toa Rangatira and Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko o Te Ika.
A report to the WW committee said Wairarapa iwi have not been in a position until now to be formally represented on the Wellington Water Committee.
Instead, the chair of SWDC’s Maori Standing Committee has had observer status on the WW Committee. Now that the progress of their treaty settlement enables Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tamaki nui a rua Trust to request formal membership of the WW Committee, they have done so.
Their application was considered at the December 2022 meeting of the WW Committee, and it was unanimously agreed the application would be recommended to each of
the shareholding councils.
Agreement was sought and approved by each, apart from Greater Wellington Regional Council, which will consider this at its meeting on March 30, 2023.
Andrea Rutene is the nominated representative.
Rangitane have yet to apply for Mana Whenua Partner Entity status on WW, so the chair of the SWDC Maori Standing Committee will attend as an observer until Rangitane have formally joined the committee.
– NZLDR
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