Abstract | Te Awa Tupua - The Whanganui River as a Legal Person

Te Ati Haunui a Paparangi have fought for a century and a half to maintain a primary relationship with the Whanganui River as a living, integrated and indivisible whole.

In 2008 Te Ati Haunui a Paparangi began work on a first principles proposition based on Te Awa Tupua (the physical and metaphysical River) and Tupua Te Kawa (the innate values of the River) that stem from kawa - the philosophical, cultural and spiritual world view that has defined the tribe’s relationship with the River from time immemorial.

Thus in March 2017 the Whanganui River became a legal person known as Te Awa Tupua encompassing all the metaphysical and physical elements that make up the River. The River can now speak for itself and promote, advocate and defend its health and wellbeing. How might this affect the way we interact with the River but more importantly, with each other?

For regional and local government, the outcome of the settlement means the start of a journey that councils will be taking with tangata whenua and the wider community of the Whanganui catchment. That journey will see councils working out how they talk with Te Awa Tupua, rather simply about it, as councils have traditional done. It is a challenge for regional government whose processes are often driven by statutes such as the Resource Management Act. The openness of Whanganui iwi to consider the views of councils during the settlement process bodes well for all parties as they learn better how to be partners in working with the River. Work begins with the development of a whole-of-river strategy involving multiple parties.

Bio | Gerrard Albert & Dr. Nic Peet

Gerrard Albert

Gerrard Albert is the Chair of Ngā Tāngata Tiaki o Whanganui, the post-settlement governance body for Whanganui Iwi for the purpose of the Whanganui River Settlement. He had a lead role in the Treaty settlement negotiations with the Crown in relation to the Wai 167 Whanganui River Claim, which culminated in the signing of Ruruku Whakatupua, the Whanganui River Deed of Settlement. In addition, he has more than 20 years working experience on environmental and resource management issues relating to Whanganui Iwi and the Whanganui River. Gerrard's first point of reference in all things is the Whanganui River and he has an intimate understanding of the tikanga and kawa of Whanganui Iwi relating to the River. It is those tikanga and kawa which form the foundation for the Te Awa Tupua arrangements in the River Settlement.

Dr Nic Peet

Dr Nic Peet is the Group Manager Strategy and Regulation at Horizons Regional Council. The Council is responsible for the management of natural resources in the Manawatu-Whanganui Region. Nic hails from the island of Guernsey and moved to New Zealand in 2000. He holds a PhD from the University of East Anglia and in New Zealand previously worked for the Department of Conservation where he benefitted from the many insights of the people of Whanganui into their relationship with Te Awa Tupua.