Supporting more engagement between the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and its Māori, iwi and hapū constituents was a key driver behind the Council’s Te Tōanga Mai o Te Rā conference.

Te Puni Kōkiri Te Moana ā Toi Regional Office provided funds to support planning, identify resources, and coordinate and manage the event.

Regional Director Rachel Jones says the agency had no hesitation about supporting the hui. “It improved awareness and understanding about various issues relevant to iwi-Māori, helping them to participate more effectively in council processes.”

Approximately 120 people attended the April conference which included a keynote address by Justice Joe Williams on “Māori into the Future” as well as addresses by Jacinta Ruru, Senior Law Lecturer from Otago University on “Water, Matauranga Māori and Māori Rights” and Linda Te Aho, Associate Dean Māori at Waikato University on “The Post Treaty Era”.

Other topics included “Constitutional Reform/Local Government and Māori” as well as “Engaging with Councils and central agencies to obtain decent outcomes”.

Rachel Jones says the themes that emerged from the conference included Treaty of Waitangi responsibilities and duties under legislation, developing relationships based on mutual interest aspirations and the development of asset managers for iwi in a post Treaty of Waitangi settlement environment.

More information about presentations made at the conference can be found at www.boprc.govt.nz