Acknowledgments........................................3
Foreword ....................................................4
Executive Summary ....................................5
List of Maps & Figures ..................................6
PART 1
WHAKAMÖHIOTANGA 7
Key Challenge ..................................7
Purpose ..........................................7
Approach ........................................7
Developing the Plan ..........................8
Format ......................................................9
PART 2
NGÄ MATAPONO 11
Introduction ..................................11
Vision ............................................11
Central Goals..................................12
Central Principles ............................12
PART 3
TE WHENUA O HAURAKI, HE TAONGA 13
Papatüanuku
Background ....................................14
Issues ..........................................14
Objectives ......................................15
Outcomes ................................................15
Ranginui
Background ..............................................16
Issues ......................................................16
Objectives ................................................16
Outcomes ................................................17
Täne Mahuta
Background ..............................................17
Issues ......................................................18
Objectives ................................................18
Outcomes ................................................19
Tangaroa Rerenga Wai Mäori
Background ..............................................19
Issues ......................................................20
Objectives ................................................20
Outcomes ................................................20
Tangaroa Rerenga Wai Tai
Background ..............................................21
Issues ......................................................21
Objectives ................................................23
Outcomes ................................................23
Rongomatäne
Background ..............................................24
Issues ......................................................24
Objectives ................................................26
Outcomes ................................................27
PART 4
NGÄ NEKENEKEHANGA 28
Introduction and Background ..........28
Issues ..........................................28
Objectives......................................31
Outcomes ......................................31
PART 5
KO HAURAKI WHENUA, WHAI TAONGA 32
Introduction ..................................32
Papatüanuku ................................32
Ranginui ........................................35
Täne Mahuta ..................................36
Tangaroa Wai Mäori....................................37
Tangaroa Rerenga Wai Tai ..........................39
Rongomatäne ............................................42
Ngä Nekenekehanga ..................................44
PART 6
TE AO HURIHURI 43
Introduction ..................................49
Ten Year Review ............................49
Annual Review................................49
Evaluation Criteria ..........................49
Ngä Kupu Mäori - Glossary of Mäori Terms ....50
References ................................................51
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Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan
NGÄ KOHIKOHINGA
1

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan
Art Competition - The Environment
In order to create some interest in this project and get direct input from our rangatahi,
the peer review team decided that an art competition should be held. The kaupapa of
the art work had to be based around environmental or customary fisheries issues.
Art work received has been spread amongst this publication.
We were able to access a small amount of funding from Community Employment
Group to offer prizes for the three pieces judged to be the best. 
The selection panel were all elected members of the Hauraki Mäori Trust Board.
Prize winners were:
First: Gordon Bidois (pg6)   Second: Kassala Te Moananui (p23)   
Third equal: Rei Hannon (pg32) and Natalie Grace (pg7)
From left to right, second prize winner Kassala Te Moananui and equal third, Rei Hannon and Natalie Grace being
congratulated by John Linstead, Deputy Chairman of the Hauraki Maori Trust Board. 
First Prize Winner, Gordon
Bidois, whose winning entry
can be seen on page 6.
2

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 3
Acknowledgements
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao o Hauraki is the product of many years of
discussion about the collective environmental experience of Hauraki
Whänui. Over that time, many people contributed to its development. 
Our first acknowledgement is to kaumatua and kuia both past and present
who unselfishly shared their baskets of knowledge and provided wise
counsel.
Thank you to Hui participants for their pearls of wisdom, those who
provided written and verbal submissions to the plan and Hauraki Whänui
who contributed to its direction and development.
Thanks to our talented Rangatahi for their beautiful artwork which has been
placed into the plan and gives it life.
Special thanks to Chris Koroheke and Environment Waikato for the
consistent support they have given throughout the plan development and
publishing process. 
Kia ora also to those local authorities and community members who took
time to participate and made valuable contributions along the way. 
Special acknowledgement to the ‘Peer Review Team’. Members were Jim
Nicholls, Betty Williams, Liane Ngamane, Pauline Clarkin, Bessie Karu, Chris
Koroheke, Honey Renata, Peter Te Moananui and Bob Cooper. Thank you all
for your hard work and dedication in driving and facilitating the
development of the plan. 
To Board staff who provided support to the team, thank you.
Last but not least, thank you to those organisations whose logos appear
below for providing funding that helped to make it possible for us to
produce our plan.
MINISTRY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT              DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION             ENVIRONMENT WAIKATO

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan4
Foreword
As Whaia Te Mahere Taiao o Hauraki is completed and we
have had time to think about how each of us might
breathe life into its words, it is worth remembering how
far we have come.
The mining, timber and farming industries and the
building of towns and cities over the last 160 years has
brought much change in our environment. Pollution to our
lands, seas and air, damage to our wähi tapu and heritage
sites, the loss of much of our food baskets, our places of
residence and seasonal occupation and in turn, our
livelihood and well-being. 
Our people are still not adequately involved in the decision-making of central and local
government in relation to the environment. I like many others am frustrated at the
continuing environmental threats to our lands, rivers, streams and seas and am tired of,
year after year, having to litigate to have our concerns heard.  
Experience has taught us that we should continue to remain ever vigilant on how
government agencies, Councils and developers are treating with Hauraki Iwi and the
natural environment and cultural heritage of the rohe. 
At the same time we must move to strengthen our own capacity in order to address the
scale of environmental issues we are faced with now and in the future.  It will require us,
at times, to work together and there will be times when we can do things on our own. Let
us have the foresight and wisdom to make the right choices at the right time.
I am pleased that rangatahi have contributed to the plan, for they are kaitiaki of the
future. Many have not had the opportunities to learn the ways of the old people about our
lands, natural resources and tapu places. We must now do what we can to rectify that.
The treaty settlement process is advancing along with the foreshore and seabed issue so
it is only right that we start to think about what we need in the form of remedies and
structures to drive the environmental vision of Hauraki Iwi. This plan will make a useful
contribution to those discussions and negotiations. 
Finally, the plan places a challenge on all of us to protect the mana of Papatüanuku,
Ranginui and their many offspring, which, in turn will ensure our place, as humans, in
their world. 
Only then could it be said that in the early 21st century, amidst all the talk about our
future growth and development as a people, we remembered first to take care of the
lands, waters, natural resources and heritage upon which, ultimately, our survival and
identity depends.
Toko Renata Te Taniwha
Chairman
Hauraki Mäori Trust Board 
Whatü ngarongaro he tangata
Toi tu te whenua
Tihei Mauri Ora 

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao o Hauraki - Hauraki Iwi
Environment Plan is a strategy for collective action by
Hauraki Whänui to sustain the mauri of the natural envi-
ronment and cultural heritage of the Hauraki rohe over
the next 50 years. It accepts that it is not possible to
return the environment to the state it was in before the
forests were felled, the swamps drained and the shellfish
beds depleted. It is however possible and practicable to
return to a situation where fisheries and bird life is more
abundant, our waters clearer and cleaner and our forests
a place to hear bird song again.
The plan, made possible through the Sustainable
Management Fund of the Ministry for the Environment,
was developed between 2000 and 2003. The Hauraki
Mäori Trust Board managed the development of the plan.
The contents of the plan emerged from a process of Hui
with Hauraki Whänui who will ultimately be the drivers
and implementers of the plan. 
The plan’s objectives were to identify resource, geo-
graphic and process based issues of concern to Hauraki
Whänui and to develop action orientated programmes
and working models for kaitiakitanga.
The strategy articulates a desired future coined in the
document by “Kia mau ki te mauri o te Taiao o Hauraki”.
A narrative vision is provided in Part 2 along with a series
of goals, values and principles that provide a framework
for addressing the issues and undertaking the actions to
protect the environment and our cultural heritage as
identified in Parts 3,4 and 5 of the plan.
The resource and geographic based issues of concern are
identified and objectives and anticipated outcomes devel-
oped. These issues have been sub-grouped according to
the domain of the Atua, whose tikanga helps guides the
wise use and management of resources. 
Process based issues are explored in Part 4. Improving
communication, co-ordination, building capacity and sup-
porting kaitiaki recognise that more kaitiaki undertaking
more environmental initiatives and taking stock to
improve the way that we currently do things will  lead us
closer to our vision than if we were to work in isolation of
each other. The main themes explored are:
Environmental accountability
Supporting Kaitiaki
Communication
Decision Making
Access to Information
Monitoring
Community Awareness
A range of methods, suitable for implementation is iden-
tified in Part 5. The methods are presented as a series of
action plans, which represent practical ways in which
Hauraki Whänui, together or individually, could con-
tribute to the kaupapa of the plan. The monitoring and
review provisions ensure that the plan remains relevant
and is adaptable as priorities of Hauraki Whänui change
over time.                                                             
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 5
Table 1: Summary of Resource & Geographic Based Issues
DOMAIN ISSUES 
Papatüanuku Loss of wetlands, peat lands, coastal dune lands, riparian lands, productive
capacity, contaminants onto land, erosion & sedimentation, growth & settlement,
waste and extractive industries.
Ranginui Air pollution, ozone depletion and climate change
Täne Mahuta Loss of forest ecosystems, native plants and animals. Animal and plant pests.
Tangaroa Rerenga Wai Mäori Loss of river & stream habitats, water pollution, water use and loss of fisheries
Tangaroa Rerenga Wai Tai Coastal pollution, habitat loss, shell fish depletion, impacts of ballast water, loss
of productive capacity, coastal fisheries, whales, dolphins and seals, coastal
management
Rongomatäne Wähi tapu loss, loss of heritage sites, features, places & landscapes, current her-
itage management systems, accessibility to wähi tapu and heritage sites and
customary use, loss of traditional knowledge & practice and intellectual property
rights and genetic engineering
Executive Summary

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan6
Environmental Plan Figures
Figure Page Description
Figure 1: 8 Plan Development Process
Figure 2: 11 Vision Framework
Figure 3: 24 Current Heritage Management Responsibilities 
Figure 4: 28 Environmental Education
Figure 5: 29 Reasons Given by Councils for not Transferring
Powers to Iwi under Section 33 of the RMA
Figure 6: 30 Example of Indigenous Environmental Indicators.
Environmental Plan Maps
Map Page Description
Map 1: 10 Hauraki Rohe
Map 2: 25 Recorded Archaeological Sites in the Hauraki Rohe
List of Maps and Figures
Winning artwork by Gordon Bidois.

1. KEY CHALLENGE
Hauraki Whänui who have participated in the develop-
ment of Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki want to ensure
that in 50 years time the environment and cultural her-
itage that mokopuna will know is not just in the memo-
ries of their kaumätua and kuia.
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki seeks to put strate-
gies in place that will support Hauraki Whänui actions to
sustain the mauri of the environment and pass on to
their mokopuna a place more like the one known by the
old people.
2. PURPOSE
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki (‘the plan’) provides a
strategy for collective action by Hauraki Whänui to sus-
tain the mauri of the natural environment and cultural
heritage of the Hauraki rohe over the next 50 years.
The plan covers the Hauraki rohe, which extends from
Matakana Island (north of Tauranga), to Matakana estu-
ary (north of Warkworth). It is also viewed as a holistic
entity encompassing all natural taonga from the sky
above to the core of the earth and their interconnections
with each other.
3. APPROACH
The plan takes a strategic approach in the sense that it
tries to look at environment and it’s heritage through the
eyes of mokopuna yet unborn. It is a living document
that is capable of change as goals are achieved and pri-
orities change.
The plan is a document that belongs to Hauraki Whänui
and not to any one organisation or group. It is designed
this way to recognise that Hauraki Whänui in their diver-
sity and acting in their capacity, as kaitiaki will be the
drivers and implementers. The plan also accepts that
there will be times when, in the best interests of the
environment, Hauraki Whänui must work together
because the nature and scale of the environmental or
heritage issue demands it.
For these reasons the plan tries to provide a supportive
framework in acknowledgement of the suite of actions
undertaken by Hauraki Iwi, hapü and whänau and the
barriers they face on a daily basis in the environmental
and heritage arena. To achieve this, the emphasis has
been on encouraging a process of participation in the
development of the plan and to promote co-operation
amongst Hauraki Whänui as the key implementation tool
when shared goals are present. It does not assume a
“one size fits all” approach.
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 7
“It comes down to the education of our children, making 
changes in our lifestyles and restoring our resources.”
Manaia Hui, November 2001.
Painting by Natalie Grace.
Section 1: Whakamöhiotanga

The plan is pragmatic, in the sense that it accepts that it
is not possible to return the environment to the state it
was in before the forests were felled, the swamps drained
and the shellfish beds depleted. It is however possible
and practicable to return to a situation where fisheries
and bird life is more abundant, our waters clearer and
cleaner and our forests a place to hear bird-song again.
4. DEVELOPING THE PLAN
The development of the plan is a Hauraki Mäori Trust
Board initiative which was undertaken in response to
calls by Hauraki Whänui over the years to develop an
environmental plan for the Hauraki tribal region.
In February 1999, the Board was successful in securing
Sustainable Management Fund project through the
Ministry for the Environment to develop the plan. Plan
development commenced in November 2000. Initial edit-
ing of the Plan occurred in 2002 with plan publication and
release scheduled for early 2004.
The project was co-ordinated by the Customary Fish and
Environmental Manager of the Board. The Manager is
supported by a Peer Review Team and planning consult-
ant who provided advice and assistance in formulating
the plan.
Whakamöhiotanga
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan8
Figure 1: The Plan Development Process
Manaia Harbour taken from the top of the Kereta. 
Waikawau Boat Ramp.

5. FORMAT
The Plan is divided into six parts.
Part 1: Whakamohiotanga introduces the plan and
outlines the purpose for and the process in which it was
developed.
Part 2: Ngä Matapono describes a desired environ-
mental future for our mokopuna and the principles and
values that will help guide us towards achieving the
vision.
Part 3: Te Whenua O Hauraki, He Taonga back-
grounds and identifies key resource and geographical
based issues of concern to Hauraki Whänui and develops
corresponding objectives and outcomes for them.
Part 4: Ngä Nekenekehanga follows the same format
as Part 3 in respect to key process based issues of con-
cern to Hauraki Whänui and are designed to strengthen
the capacity of Hauraki Whänui to address the issues
identified in Part 3 of the plan.
Part 5: Hauraki Whenua Whai Taonga which com-
prises a series of action plans to address the matters
identified in Part 3 and Part 4 of the plan.
Whakamöhiotanga
“The peripheral boundary of the Hauraki can generally be
described as commencing at the sunken reefs of Nga Kuri
a Wharei offshore of Waihi Beach on the eastern coast,
progressing west inland to Mount Te Aroha, thence to 
Hoe-o-Tainui. It then follows north along the range line of 
Te Hapü-a-Kohe and the Hunua Ranges to Moumoukai and
Papakura. The northern boundary includes parts of the
Tamaki Isthmus, Takapuna, Whangaparaoa and
Mahurangi before terminating at Matakana river estuary
south of Cape Rodney. The seaward boundary includes
parts of the island of Aotea (Great Barrier), and then
southward to its beginning at Nga Kuri-a-Wharei.
Included within those margins are the inner gulf islands
of Tikapa Moana and those (except for Tuhua island)
offshore of the eastern coastline of Te Tai Tamawahine.”
Extract from Turoa, T. (1997) Nga Iwi o Hauraki: The Hauraki Treaty Claims, Volume 2, 
Hauraki Mäori Trust Board: Paeroa, p4.
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 9
Coromandel Township.
Flooding at Waiomu, Thames Coast.

Whakamöhiotanga
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan10
MAP 1: Hauraki Tribal Region
Part 6: Te Ao Hurihuri is concerned with plan moni-
toring and review requirements in recognition that the
plan is a living document and must change as circum-
stances of Hauraki Whänui and their environment and
heritage change.
A Glossary of Mäori Terms is provided to assist readers who
are not familiar with Mäori concepts, terms and words.
The Plan is designed to compliment and support action
plans undertaken by Iwi Authorities, tribal runanga,
hapü, whänau and marae. 

1. INTRODUCTION
This section of the plan sets out vision statement and
central goals for Hauraki Whänui when addressing envi-
ronmental and heritage issues in the rohe. The vision
describes a desired future, the kind of world that we
would like to leave to our mokopuna. The central goals
outline what we have to do to realise this. The central
principles act as a check and balance on the way we treat
with each other and the environment when implementing
the plan.
The time frame of 50 years guides us towards achievable
actions recognising that as a generation changes and as
goals are achieved so to will the goals change.
2. VISION
“Kia mau ki te mauri o te
Taiao o Hauraki”
It is 2050. Hauraki people are able to enter the great
forests of Täne and witness a place alive with life. Kukupa
again make their migration from the mountains to the
lowland forests to feast upon the berries of the matai, the
miro and the karaka.
Most of our waterways in rural and urban areas have
been restored to their indigenous state and are now
home to increasing populations of fish. Water-plants
have increased providing a home for kaeo and protecting
young of tuna and inanga. There are no longer any con-
taminants polluting our waterways and harbours, and
many more wetlands exist because of the past and pres-
ent activities of kaitiaki.
These places of the land and sea have once again
become abundant food baskets. Kaitiaki are protecting
the harvesting of mahinga kai, mahinga mätaitai and
taonga raranga for tribal communities in accordance with
tikanga.
All waahi tapu and cultural heritage sites and landscapes
in Hauraki are being protected, managed and rehabili-
tated by kaitiaki at all levels of the tribal spectrum. No
use or development of waahi tapu or cultural heritage
sites takes place without the express consent of the Iwi,
hapü and whänau involved.
Hauraki people have embarked on a number of economic
development initiatives since the settlement of their
treaty claim in 2007. The kinds of businesses invested in
are environmentally sound, and based on resource sus-
tainability, traditional economies and cultural heritage
such as sustainable aquaculture, heritage tourism,
energy efficiency, waste reduction, riparian, coastal and
wetland restoration.
Hauraki people are making final decisions about change
in the environment through the eyes of the next genera-
tion. This is because our mokopuna have been taught
what it is to be kaitiaki and the tikanga about how to
manaaki the environment from their whaea, matua and
whänau. They also freely take the tools from western sci-
ence to enhance their kaitiaki activities.
Kaitiaki are no longer pre-occupied with educating cen-
tral and local government agencies and communities
about the Treaty of Waitangi. That is because it is no
longer talked about but carried out as a living charter.
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 11
Section 2: Ngä Matapono
Figure 2: Vision Framework
“My vision is that we have a sustainable
environment but we have also to be concerned
that people have to survive within that.”
Tirohia Hui, June 2001.

3. CENTRAL GOALS
3.1 Mauri
Hauraki Whänui sustaining and enhancing the mauri of
ecosystems, habitats, species and natural resources
under their care in the Hauraki tribal region.
3.2 Protecting our Past
Hauraki Whänui protecting wähi tapu, cultural heritage
sites, places and landscapes and associated traditional
knowledge in the Hauraki tribal region.
3.3 Supporting Kaitiaki
The kaitiaki role of Hauraki Whänui is being maintained
and enhanced.
3.4 Making Decisions
Hauraki Whänui are making informed decisions about the
environment and heritage of the Hauraki tribal region in
accordance with tikanga.
3.5 Building Partnerships
The Treaty of Waitangi is being upheld by central and
local government, industry and local communities and
reflected in the way they make decisions.
3.6 Community Awareness
Communities understand and value the contributions of
Hauraki Whänui in environmental management and her-
itage protection.
4. CENTRAL PRINCIPLES
The belief the natural world is the domain of Atua and
that all things, both tangible and intangible are intercon-
nected and possess a life energy principle or mauri
guides our interactions with the environment. Sustaining
the mauri of a taonga, whether a resource, species or
place, is central to the exercise of kaitiakitanga.
Mauri is the life energy force or unique life essence that
gives being and form to all things in the universe.
Tikanga has emerged around this duty bringing with it an
intimate knowledge and understanding about local envi-
ronments and a set of rules that guide our way of life,
both spiritual and secular.
We shall achieve our vision and goals in a manner that
actively fosters the values expressed by:
Rangatiratanga: each one of us wisely exercising our
right to make final decisions over how taonga are man-
aged, developed, used and protected.
Kaitiakitanga: each one of us fulfilling our ancestral
obligations to taonga.
Wairuatanga: each one of us respecting the wairua
inherent in taonga in recognition of the spiritual connec-
tion between humankind and the natural world.
Manaakitanga: each one of us exercising our rights and
responsibilities in a way that is beneficial for taonga.
Whanaungatanga: each one of us exercising our rights
and responsibilities towards taonga in a way that
acknowledges our whakapapa, each to the other includ-
ing the natural world.
Kotahitanga: each one of us exercising our rights and
responsibilities in a way that strives towards collective
goals whilst recognising the autonomy and needs of
each participant. 
Ngä Matapono
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan12
Artwork by Ashley Povey.
Karangahake bush.

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 13
Te Whenua o Hauraki, he Taonga
“Rangi and Papa were one body, laying timeless in close embrace. Their union produced
many supernatural beings who were confined between the bodies of their parents. In
time these beings became restless and debated the separation of their parents.
There were many who disagreed. The separation created chaos as the beings struggled
to separate Rangi from Papa. Rangi clung desperately to Papa but the might of their
offspring was overwhelming and the final thrust by Tane (the personified form of the
sun, procreator of trees, birds, insects etc) tore Rangi away from Papa. Rangi was flung
upwards and Papa lay uncovered.
There was utter confusion. The void was filled with the cries of the newly born gods,
cries of sorrow, anger, pleasure, torment. Tawhirimatea, god of winds, screamed through
the void in anger and flew off to join Rangi, and there carefully fostered his own
offspring. Ruaumoko, god of earthquakes, remaining with his mother to console her.
Each and every god displayed his power and took his position in the newly created world. 
In the ensuing chaos the gods took upon themselves the eternal responsibilities to
procreate, control, regulate all things animate and inanimate, and all natural phenomena.
Tane in his creator’s role took a portion of the Earth (Papa) and together with his
brothers fashioned the first female, the mother of mankind, Hineahuone (Earth formed
maid). Tane derived the spirit (wairua), and the breath of life (hauone) from Io the
supreme God and brought Hineahuone to life. She rose as the first woman on Earth, the
mother of the human race.
From the union and separation of Earth and Sky (Rangi and Papa) and the birth of their
many offspring, a series of semi-evolutionary processes took place whereby all things in
the universe came into being.”
Extract from Hauraki District Mäori Council Planning Group. 1987. Hauraki Whaanui.
Section 3: Te Whenua o Hauraki, he Taonga
Artwork by Mairehau Bidois.

Papatüanuku
1. BACKGROUND
The protection, management and use of land is guided by
the tikanga of Papatüanuku. Land is Papatüanuku, whose
many siblings went on to create the forests, oceans,
plants, animals and, in turn, humankind. The ability of
Papatüanuku to provide sustenance and protection from
the effects of flood and drought is highly valued by
Hauraki Whänui.
Land cradles our rivers, streams, peatlands, wetlands,
dune lands and our ngahere where the children of Täne
Mahuta dwell. It has shaped the way our ancestors lived,
guiding them in the siting of pä kainga, gardens, food
preparation areas, waste facilities, housing, ceremonial
areas, urupä, all the activities associated to a vibrant liv-
ing settlement.
The footprints and stories left on the land and sea by our
ancestors are highly valued by Hauraki Whänui as a con-
nection to their heritage and identity.
2. ISSUES
2.1 Wetland Loss
More than 80% of our inland and coastal wetlands have
been lost. Wetlands are valued as a habitat for tuna,
kokopu and waterfowl. Lowered water tables, drainage,
grazing and exotic weeds threaten the future of remain-
ing wetlands.
Wetlands inland and along river and streams no longer
provide the habitats, food or corridors needed for birds
and insects to move in their seasonal cycles. Many plants
of value to Hauraki Whänui, including medicinal and food
plants have become rare, less abundant or are no longer
accessible. Local communities underrate the value of wet-
lands as a buffer to the land from flooding and drought.
2.2 Peatland Loss
Peat lands that are the result of past and present wetland
drainage have been significantly reduced through land
uses that require lowered water tables such as intensive
dairy farming, peat mining and horticulture. The expense
of maintaining lowered water tables as the peat resource
shrinks is unsustainable.
2.3 Loss of Coastal Dunes
Coastal development and use have degraded or
destroyed coastal dune lands, habitats, species and
ecosystems in the Hauraki tribal region. Native plants
used for weaving and for medical treatment and food
that were once common are now rare.
Pïngao, an important weaving material, scurvy grass and
other valued food plant communities were almost
destroyed by grazing and coastal development. Present
day dune communities consist largely of exotic sand
binding plants.
2.4 Riparian Margins of Rivers & Streams
Riparian margins of rivers and streams are important
buffers that can reduce the impacts of contaminants, ero-
sion and sedimentation from land use to rivers and
streams. They also provide homes for a diversity of ter-
restrial and freshwater native species. Most riparian mar-
gins of rivers and streams in the Hauraki tribal region are
highly modified through land use and their capacity to
buffer rivers and streams from the impacts of contamina-
tion; erosion and sedimentation have been reduced.
2.5 Productive Capacity of Whenua
Present day land use and soil capability classifications
underrate the productive capacity of the land in the
Hauraki tribal region. Our soils are poorer and less pro-
ductive through lack of native plants, species and ecosys-
tems in the farm landscape and agricultural fertiliser use.
The ability of the land to absorb water in times of flood
and release it in drier periods has been removed through
successive drainage and flood protection schemes and
other land use practices such as farming and exotic
forestry. Flooding, the maintenance of lowered water
tables and irrigation to maintain soil moisture levels bring
with it significant economic and environmental costs.
2.6 Contaminants onto Land
Contaminants from stormwater, wastewater, sewage
disposal, solid waste disposal, industrial, agricultural
and household activities continue to enter the land, its
plants and animals and the rivers and streams that
flow over it to the oceans. Contaminated sites in the
Te Whenua o Hauraki, he Taonga
“She creates life. She sustains life. She is life. In
one role she is personified as the Nurturer. In
another role she is personified as the womb.”
Hauraki Mäori District Council, 1987. Hauraki Whänui.
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan14

Hauraki tribal region also continue to pose environ-
mental threats.
2.7 Erosion & Sedimentation
Farming, forestry, subdivisions, roading, extractive
industries and other land use activities can accelerate soil
erosion and sedimentation of rivers, streams and moana.
2.8 Growth & Settlement
Demands for space and infrastructure services will con-
tinue to increase as populations grow in the Hauraki
tribal region which in turn will make the preservation of
taonga valued by Hauraki Whänui increasingly difficult.
2.9 Solid Waste
Unsustainable levels of solid waste continue to be gener-
ated by communities and businesses in the Hauraki tribal
region. Changing people’s waste management behav-
iours to perceiving waste as a resource will be difficult.
Landfills and contaminated sites are the by-product of
inefficient waste management practices by individuals,
households and groups.
2.10 Extractive Industries
Extraction of gold, silver and other mineral resources has
left long-standing environmental problems in the Hauraki
tribal region. Today, the disposal of wastewater, chemi-
cals and spoil from the mining process, although much
improved, remains an environmental concern to Hauraki
Whänui.
The extraction of mineral resources such as peat mining,
rock, sand and shingle from our wetlands, rivers,
streams and beaches continue to have impacts on our
environment.
3. OBJECTIVES
a) Peat lands, wetlands and dunelands are protected
and restored as ecological, cultural and economic
resources of Hauraki Whänui
b) Riparian margins of rivers and streams in the
Hauraki tribal region are protected and restored.
c) Ancestral taonga valued by Hauraki Whänui are
actively protected from the impacts of growth in
the Hauraki tribal region.
d) Sustainable land use and energy efficiency
practices including the safe disposal of
contaminants, the reduction, re use and recycling
of waste is standard practice amongst Hauraki
Whänui and local communities.
e) The environmental risks of new, existing and
closed mines, quarries, and landfills and
contaminated sites are significantly reduced.
4. OUTCOMES
a) Sustainable development and use of peat lands,
wetlands
b) Local communities more aware of sustainable land
use, waste safe disposal of contaminants and local
energy efficiency practices.
c) Increased diversity of native species, habitat and
ecosystems through wetland, peatland, river and
stream and duneland restoration activities.
d) Natural buffers for flood pulse and drought relief
restored
e) Regional growth strategies that protect taonga of
Hauraki Whänui from future use and development
in the Hauraki tribal region.
f) Reduced environmental risk from mining and
quarrying industries, landfills and contaminated
sites in the Hauraki tribal region.
g) Erosion and sedimentation problems will be
reduced
h) Reduction, re-use and recycling of waste          
Te Whenua o Hauraki, he Taonga
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 15
Artwork by Hinemaurati Williams.

Ranginui
1. BACKGROUND
Air is central to our survival. Overall, air quality in the
rural areas of the Hauraki tribal region is good when
compared to other places. Urbanised settlements, partic-
ularly in the Auckland Metropolitan area has exceeded
human health based guidelines for air pollution in some
places. At times a smog haze covers Auckland City. Cars
are the most significant emitters of pollution to air
responsible for 70-80% of pollutants discharged into the
air in the Auckland area. Industry, households and farm-
ing practices are also key emitters.
Climate Change and Ozone depletion are global issues
that impact on the relationship that Hauraki Whänui
share with natural resources, land and sea.
2. ISSUES
2.1 Air Pollution
Industrial, domestic and outdoor fire and vehicle emis-
sions, particularly around Tamaki Makaurau are polluting
the air. Motor vehicles are the largest source of air pollu-
tion in the Auckland region. Emissions from vehicles
include carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, and particulate
and hazardous air pollutants such as benzene.
Agrichemical spray drift has the potential to cause adverse
effects on people and the environment. The use of agri-
chemical sprays by farmers and other primary producers
needs to be safe.
2.2 Ozone Depletion
Ozone depleting substances reduce the thickness of the
ozone layer causing holes to form. This can increase the
levels of ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth. It can
have damaging effects on humans, plants and animals
for example respiratory problems, skin cancer, plant
retardation. The use of chlorofluorocarbons and other
ozone depleting compounds by businesses and house-
holds are not completely phased out in New Zealand.
2.3 Climate Change
The “greenhouse effect” is a natural system that regu-
lates the temperature on earth. Human made green-
house gas emissions, for example, from car use have
placed additional pressures on the natural system and its
warming capacity. Warmer temperatures could cause
irreversible damage to our environment, animals, plants
and traditional food sources. Rising sea levels associated
to global warming is a particular threat to the low-lying
lands of the Hauraki rohe.
3. OBJECTIVES
a) Hauraki Whänui are informed about and are
participating in discussions between indigenous
peoples internationally and the government
domestically on the impacts of climate change and
ozone depletion.
b) Support transport policies that encourage more
sustainable technologies, such as public transport,
car pools and alternates to car use such as
walking and cycling.
Te Whenua o Hauraki, he Taonga
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan16
“I am sick from the pollution that has crept up my trunk and
blocked out the sunlight from my leaves.”
Totara Group, Mätai Whetu Hui, 
March 2001.

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 17
c) Encourage and support local energy efficiency
initiatives by Hauraki Whänui such as: 
Initiatives to provide information and retrofitting
for efficient domestic fires and well-insulated
houses to local communities
Alternatives to conventional heating, such as
solar power.
Alternative energy sources for example using
methane from farm production, sewage
treatment and landfills as an alternative energy
source.
Viable alternatives to the burning of farm and
domestic waste
Encourage communities to reduce their use of
ozone depleting substances.
d) Monitor and influence regional and district council’s
coastal hazards and waste management policies in
the Hauraki tribal region as they relate to
managing climate change impacts.
4. OUTCOMES
a) Increase in local energy efficiency initiatives by
Hauraki Whänui and local communities
b) Hauraki Whänui participating in the development
of domestic and global Climate Change Policy
c) Improved community awareness and responsibility
about the importance of energy efficiency and the
harms of ozone depleting substances. 
Täne Mahuta
1. BACKGROUND
Täne Mahuta oversees the forests, its birds, plants and
animals. The virgin forests and shrub lands of Hauraki
are long gone. In its place are regenerating kauri,
podocarp and broadleaf forests, pasture, shelter belts,
production forestry and urban settlement.
Forest cover in the Hauraki tribal area prior to human
settlement was absent only in the extensive peat
swamps. Kahikatea grew in wetland areas, podocarp/
mixed broad-leaf in the ranges and hill country and
pohutukawa in the coastal forests that extended to the
offshore islands.
Dune plant communities have been largely replaced by
exotic sand binding plants and less than 20% of our wet-
lands remain compared to former abundance.
Hauraki Whänui wish to re-establish forest and other
native plants in a way that reconnects the ngahere so
that the food supply, habitat, ecosystems of the whänau
of Täne Mahuta are increased and plentiful.
Restoring the native plant resources once found in
forests, wetlands and other communities is a necessary
Te Whenua o Hauraki, he Taonga
Artwork by Paroto Richards.
“I stand firmly in the soil, holding it together, touching my
neighbours to provide a home for my whanaunga, the birds
and insects and a corridor for their travels.”
Totara Group, Mätai Whetu Hui, March 2001.

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan18
and positive factor in the development of a sustainable
tribal economy.
2. ISSUES
2.1 Loss of Forest Ecosystems
Land clearance followed colonial settlement in the
Hauraki rohe. By 1910, the vast forests and shrublands
of Hauraki were all but gone.
The fragmented nature of remaining lowland forests
makes protection and restoration of the normal life cycle
of forest plants and animals difficult.
Regenerating podocarp forest along the Coromandel,
Kaimai, Hunua and Waitakere ranges, the remnant
groves and individual trees of Kahikatea primarily on the
Hauraki Plains, and remnant coastal and island forest is
the situation today.
There is no connection between remaining forest
patches and regenerating forest on Crown and private
land which is largely due to the way in which the agri-
cultural landscape has developed. Exotic trees and
plants have replaced native species and what remains
cannot provide the diversity of living conditions needed
by the whänau of Tane.
Birds can no longer carry out their vital roles in the for-
est. They are the pest eradicators, the pollinators, the
spreaders of seed and our unique songsters and their
homes continue to be lost.
2.2 Animal and Plant Pests
Animal and plant pest invasions have affected normal
cycles of our native forests. Rodents and possums can
affect the seeding and the regeneration of forests. Wasps
take foods vital for native birds to reproduce. Exotic
weeds can choke seedlings and smother forest trees.
Rats, stoats, ferrets, opossums, cats and dogs destroy
many native insects, lizards, kiwi, parrots and many of
our other songsters.
2.3 Native Plants & Animals
Many native plants and animals in addition to their intrin-
sic value have uses of special significance to Hauraki
Whänui. The old people brought some plants and animals
such as the karaka and kumara and kiore to Aotearoa
and thus are imbued with spiritual as well as physical
value. Other native plants and animals are valued for
their medicinal, material and food values.
Protecting the biological diversity of our native plants and
animals along with our the right to use and derive bene-
fit from them goes unrecognised as a valuable foundation
for part of the traditional and modern Hauraki economy.
3. OBJECTIVES
a) Hauraki Whänui are protecting locally sourced
seed stock, and raising and planting native trees
and plants in the Hauraki tribal region.
b) To promote sustainable development initiatives by
Hauraki Whänui involving the establishment and
use of “natural” plantations of native plants.Motuteretere (Castle Rock).
Te Whenua o Hauraki, he Taonga
A grove of trees on the Coromandel.

1. BACKGROUND
Rivers and streams provide a home, food source and
migration pathway to and from the sea for native fish-
eries, provide people with food and water and are valued
for their spiritual qualities. Hauraki Whänui still depend
on these freshwater resources as a major food source.
These rivers, streams and wetlands were buffered from
land use impacts through forested margins and popula-
tions of tuna, kokopu, kaeo, këwai, wätakihiri and bird
life were abundant in former times.
An important food source for Hauraki Whänui was tuna,
which was particularly abundant in the Piako and Waihou
river systems. The commercial fishing of tuna in the mid
20th century had a significant impact on the tuna popu-
lations. There are some species that were abundant in
the childhood of our kaumätua and kuia but are no longer
present or in a depleted state today, for example, white-
bait fisheries provided plentiful catches in season in most
of the rivers of the rohe and Kaeo was commonly used
until the early 1900’s.
Drainage of wetlands, removal of native vegetation from
river and stream margins, sedimentation, erosion and
contaminants entering the water have contributed to the
overall degradation of our rivers and streams.
The important places for the gathering of food, collection
and preparation of rongoa and weaving materials by
Hauraki Whänui have been significantly reduced through
drainage, conflicting land use and habitat degradation.
c) Protect the intellectual property rights of Hauraki
Whänui in Hauraki native animals and plants and
derived products
d) Effective animal and plant pest eradication
strategies and programmes in the Hauraki tribal
region.
e) To maintain traditional values and uses for native
plants through wänanga.
f) Develop a strategy to reintroduce birds into
restored forest and wetlands habitats.
g) Replant native plants in ecological corridors along
river and streams, rural, shelterbelts, roadside,
subdivision, urban and amenity plantings in
Hauraki tribal region.
h) Develop an inter-connected network of indigenous
forest, shrub land, wetland, river and stream
habitats and ecosystems.
4. OUTCOMES
a) Forests, wetlands, coastal dune lands, species and
ecosystems protected and restored
b) Hauraki native seed stock protected and sustained
for future generations
c) Intellectual property rights protected
d) Use of native plants as sustainable tribal resource 
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 19
Te Whenua o Hauraki, he Taonga
“The river has changed over the last 70 years.
A lot of the fish that use to be here are not here
anymore, it’s flow and colour has also changed.”
Manaia Hui, November 2001.
Rapids over rocks at Karangahake.
Tangaroa Rerenga Wai Mäori

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan20
2. ISSUES
2.1 Loss of River and Stream Habitats
Drainage, sedimentation, flood protection works, agricul-
tural and urban land use and contaminant run off from
the land have removed or vastly altered our rivers and
streams. These land use activities have contributed to
habitat loss and degradation which has also had impacts
on the freshwater resources valued by Hauraki Whänui.
River bed and plant communities needed to support fish
and bird life are now rare, water flows have increased
and streams have become turbid with silt.
2.2 Water Pollution
Water is carried as a natural system and is able to absorb
some levels of pollution however increased volumes of pol-
lutants are exceeding the ability of the rivers and streams
to purge themselves. Non-water soluble pollutants can sink
to the bottom and slowly release toxins into the ecosystem.
Non point source discharges such as stock run off can
increase nutrient levels in rivers and streams. Groundwater
can also be polluted by seepage of contaminated water
from septic tanks, landfills and other land use activities.
2.3 Water Use 
Increasing demands are being placed on rivers, streams
and groundwater in the Hauraki tribal region as a result
of water needs of increased populations coupled with
lowered water levels in the summer months. Lowered
water levels can cause significant damage to river and
stream habitats and ecosystems. Recycling of water for
secondary purposes is not a conventional practice of local
communities in the Hauraki rohe, for example, using
wastewater for flushing the toilet or cleaning the car.
2.4 Loss of Fisheries
Hauraki rivers, streams and wetlands teemed with tuna,
kokopu, paraki and kaeo. Other fish caught in smaller
numbers included the black flounder and këwai.
Tuna was a staple food, the catching and preserving of
which was highly organised. In modern times tuna
remained relatively numerous, adapting to new habitat in
drainage systems, until the advent of the commercial
export fishery in the late 1960s.
Whitebait, the young of inanga and paraki, were also
caught in large numbers seasonally. Paraki, which can live
in the muddier waters of today, remains relatively common
on the Waihou. River works, destruction of aquatic plants
and stock grazing to the waters edge has almost destroyed
whitebait fisheries based on inanga and banded kokopu in
Hauraki rivers. Kaeo, fresh water mussel, disappeared
from the Waihou River possibly in the 1970s. Exposure of
their habitat through lowered water levels and finer river
sediments may have been the cause.
3. OBJECTIVES
a) To prepare catchment-based management plans to
protect and sustain the mauri of Hauraki river
systems.
b) To promote and encourage sustainable water use
practices.
c) To protect and restore wetland habitats and
ecosystems in Hauraki tributary streams.
d) To restore and increase inanga spawning in
Hauraki rivers.
e) To assess the feasibility of restoring a freshwater
mussel fishery in a Hauraki river.
f) To determine and achieve an acceptable 50%
recovery rate for tuna and ‘whitebait’ fisheries.
g) To monitor fisheries health and recovery and water
quality in Hauraki rivers.
h) Develop a programme to monitor recovery of the
tuna and inanga whitebait fisheries.
i) Survey the Waihou-Piako to determine the nature
and extent of the kaeo fishery and its plant
habitat.
4. OUTCOMES
a) Enhancement of the freshwater fisheries habitat.
b) Survival status of the Kaeo fishery.
c) Restoration of wetland, river and stream plant life.
d) Improved water quality.
e) Sustainable use of the water resource by people.
f) Increased populations of fisheries, birds and plant
resources.
Te Whenua o Hauraki, he Taonga
Eels in a creek in the Athenree Gorge.

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 21
1. BACKGROUND
Hauraki moana have been used and valued by Hauraki
people since beyond living memory for cultural, spiritual
and economic purposes. Hauraki Whänui have been con-
tinuously engaged in fishing, a tradition that expanded to
accommodate a supply of fresh fish to Auckland in the
19th century. Commercial line and net fishing remained
an important activity through to the 1950s landing
mainly groper, school sharks and snapper.
Trawling and Danish seining was progressively moved out
of the Hauraki Gulf after 1936. Improved technology for
trawling and seining and set netting saw a limited entry
fishery in the Hauraki Gulf in 1987 and transferable quo-
tas for key wet fish species in 1986.
Snapper is a key fishery for the Hauraki Gulf and is the
centre for the East Coast Auckland stock that moves into
the Firth of Thames to feed in the spring and summer
months. Several nursery areas are also found in Tikapa
Moana, particularly the Firth of Thames. Protection of the
snapper nurseries is a priority. There is also potential for
snapper farming in Tikapa Moana.
The productivity of the moana is dependent upon the tides
and the great cosmic cycles that bring it nutrients, on
healthy seabeds and seaweed covered reefs to provide
nurseries for the young of fish, päua, kina and koura.
Healthy shellfish-beds are needed to sustain pipi and
cockle for Hauraki Whänui, their whänau and manuhiri.
Recovery of the kutai fishery would support local needs
and a growing mussel and oyster farming industry.
Scallops were a delicacy occasionally dredged from the sea
floor by Hauraki Whänui but more usually gathered off the
beach after storms. Scallops are also a potential farmed
species, adding to the basket of seafoods that Hauraki can
offer to manuhiri and use in its traditional economy.
If kaitiaki maintain a balance between marine farm
development and productive wild fisheries, the seafood
baskets of Hauraki Moana will support both the cultural
and economic needs of Hauraki Whänui and local com-
munities. Hauraki Moana is a pathway and feeding
ground for whales, fish in their annual migrations, inanga
and tuna returning to the inland waterways.
2. ISSUES
2.1 Coastal Pollution
Currents that bring nutrients and warm or cool the seas
can also bring pollution, adding to the poisons in our fish
and shellfish and contributing to their depletion.
The northern area of Tikapa Moana is traversed by oil
tankers moving to Whangarei, and a large volume of con-
tainer and other traffic entering the Waitemata bound for
Auckland.
Contaminants from car fuel emissions, oil spills, chemical
spills, ship sewage, plastic debris and other waste from
shipping threaten the mauri of our coastal waters.
Harbour and estuaries are natural sinks for land use
runoff and sedimentation and activities requiring dredg-
ing of the seabed and foreshore can disturb pollutants.
Te Whenua o Hauraki, he Taonga
Crayfish.
“We are the caretakers or stewards of Tikapa Moana,
from time immemorial. If we do not properly fulfill our
role as stewards of Tikapa Moana it will undoubtedly be
said that we are an Iwi without value.”
Extract from Hauraki tribal evidence in Appeals No 743/90, 745/90, 747/90 
under the Water and Soil Conservation Act 1967.
Tangaroa Rerenga Wai Tai

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan22
2.2 Ballast Water
Ships discharging ballast in Hauraki coastal waters have
seen an increase in foreign invasions of plant and animal
pests that can compete against and impact on native
species. ‘Red tides’ have closed shellfisheries during the
warmer months. A mat-forming mussel is found on once
sandy seabed in the entrance to Manaia harbour is one
example.
2.3 Coastal Habitat Loss
Coastal sub-divisions, land clearance, and agricultural
use have all contributed to increased sediment levels and
pollution entering our moana. River straightening,
drainage and reclamation have also damaged and irre-
versibly modified estuaries and coastal lagoons, their salt
marshes and mangrove forests in the Hauraki rohe.
Once extensive mangrove forests along the Wharekawa
coastline were severely diminished by land use activities.
The present increase in mangroves is a response to large
amounts of silt entering coastal waters. Mangroves help
to trap the sediment in their root systems and provide
food for worms, crabs and other invertebrates so essen-
tial for young and adult fish sheltering among man-
groves.
Sediment has turned much of our harbours and coastal
bays from sandy to muddy areas. Silt deposits on reefs
and seaweed affect settlement for the young of kina and
päua in our moana.
2.4 Fish and Shell Fish Depletion
The extent and abundance of seafoods in our moana has
been progressively affected by sediment and contami-
nants coming from the land in addition to commercial
and recreational harvesting.
Pipi and cockle beds, abundant before 1900, were grad-
ually reduced through silt build-up and recreational fish-
ing pressures. The Firth of Thames pipi and cockle beds,
as an example, have been reduced from a highly pro-
ductive 2 square kilometres of beds in the 1920s to no
longer being able to sustain gathering today.
There is no reason to doubt that Firth of Thames beds
would recover if sediment flow into the area remained
negligible for 15-20 years. The combined effect of tide
and wind would move fine material off the inter-tidal
beds leaving a coarser seabed more acceptable to settle-
ment by pipi and cockle.
Mussel dredging in the 1960s all but wiped out the kutai
fishery in the Firth of Thames. At the same time kaumä-
tua recall how shore picking wiped out inter-tidal beds.
These beds were said to be continuous between a line
from Kaiaua to Windy Point and Waiheke Island, occupy-
ing about 104 square miles of seabed.
The sheltered waters of Tikapa Moana sustain Auckland’s
east-coast fishery for snapper, flounder and many other
species including whai and shark but is vastly diminished
relative to its former abundance. Hauraki Whänui
involvement in monitoring and actively restoring the sus-
tainability of these fisheries is limited.
2.5 Loss of Productive Capacity
Tikapa Moana, and in particular the Firth of Thames,
has high levels of productivity. In the past, this richness
supported large shellfisheries for pipi, cockle, kutai,
titiko and green lipped mussel. The marine farming
industry is poised to develop large-scale farms in the
Firth of Thames, which may have impacts on its pro-
ductive capacity.
Managing the productive capacity of Tikapa moana holis-
tically is vital if potential productivity levels for fish and
shellfish are to be restored. This means that production
levels will need to be balanced against the present and
future needs of each fishery and ecosystem.
Marine farming has the potential for a harvest at least
equal to the naturally occurring beds of 40 years ago.
There is also potential to develop a farmed scallop indus-
try, as has been done in Golden Bay, Marlborough.
Protecting wild stocks of shellfish is also a vital compo-
nent of maintaining a customary right to provide for
the cultural needs of Hauraki Whänui. The customary
take must take priority over commercial and recre-
ational needs.
2.6 Whales, Dolphins and Seals
Whales play a significant part in the culture of Hauraki
Whänui. Recent Hui have discussed these issues and con-
tinue to do so in order that understandings may be
reached between Hauraki Whänui about appropriate pro-
tocols and practices.
Te Whenua o Hauraki, he Taonga
Otama.

Whales regularly travel through Tikapa Moana and her
sheltered, food-rich waters as part of their annual
migration. The amount of shipping and the steadily
increasing recreational boat traffic make this area haz-
ardous for both whales and dolphins. Seals are becom-
ing more frequent visitors to this area, a resource that
was common in the days when Hauraki ancestors were
establishing their settlements.
2.7 Coastal Management
Fisheries, recovering habitats and the ability of Tikapa
Moana to sustain wild shell fisheries and a developing
marine farming industry requires monitoring by Hauraki
Whänui. Current monitoring programmes do not gener-
ally involve Hauraki Whänui or measure information in
a way that is useful and accessible to them. Both
involvement with and parallel monitoring alongside
Crown agencies are important issues in the recovery
and protection of Hauraki coastal seas. Monitoring is
also important to measure the long-term effects of cli-
mate on production levels for fisheries and marine
farms. Protection of settlement areas for shellfish,
spawning sites and nursery areas for fish require mon-
itoring to care for these key areas.
3. OBJECTIVES
a) Protect and restore coast, beach and estuarine
habitats and ecosystems in the Hauraki tribal
region.
b) To develop strategies for better co-ordination and
integration with central and local government, in
the protection and management of the coast.
c) To develop a community education programme to
foster awareness of our coastal environments and
their values.
d) To agree on sustainable production and allocation
levels for key fisheries in Tikapa Moana.
e) To agree on siting and production levels for marine
farming in Tikapa Moana.
f) To establish a fully developed habitat, resource
and productivity based strategy and monitoring
programme for Hauraki’s coastal seas.
g) Develop local strategies to protect mahinga
mätaitai from the effects of land use and over
harvesting and for the protection and restoration
of coastal dune and estuarine habitats.
h) A pilot project to evaluate shellfish reseeding
practices once and the potential for snapper
farming in the Firth of Thames.
i) Riparian replanting and sediment trapping
strategies for improving harbour water clarity and
the sandiness of inter-tidal sea-beds
j) Develop a long-term strategy for whale strandings
and the use of whale products.
4. OUTCOMES
a) Restoration of the mauri of local ecosystems and
fisheries
b) Improved water and seabed quality
c) Increased fisheries production from Tikapa Moana
d) Fisheries and marine farming at sustainable levels
in Tikapa Moana
e) Productive pipi and cockle beds
f) Protection for whales, dolphins and seals
g) Assured access to a customary take for Hauraki
tängata whenua
h) Increased ability for tängata whenua to fulfil
manaakitanga obligations
i) An effective Hauraki coastal monitoring capacity
j) Improved integration with government agencies
and local communities
k) Greater understanding of coastal values by
communities. 
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 23
Te Whenua o Hauraki, he Taonga
Artwork by Kassala Te Moananui.

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan24
Rongomatäne
1. BACKGROUND
Cultural heritage is that which is passed on from one
generation to the next. Our cultural heritage is about who
we are as a people, how we have shaped the environ-
ment and the environment has shaped us.
Cultural heritage is a broad concept and includes our lan-
guage, intellectual property rights, traditional knowledge
and use, our social organisation and arts. It also relates
to the physical markers and sacred places that are
embedded in the whenua and give meaning and content
to our lives and identity as Hauraki whänui.
The whenua plays a central role in maintaining our cul-
tural heritage because it is our storybook, our wänanga,
our food basket and reaffirms our identity, relationship
and dependency to our türangawaewae on a daily basis
The traditional knowledge associated to these places
and customary practices are equally important to
Hauraki Whänui who have long standing concerns about
its continued survival and its use when introduced into
the public domain.
2. ISSUES
2.1 Loss of Wähi Tapu
Many Wähi Tapu of Hauraki Whänui have been dese-
crated or damaged through land use and development.
For example, the location of a swimming pool, skate-
board rink and public recreation reserve on Te
Kauaeranga Tapu in the Thames township, Pukewa in
Waihi that is now the site of the Martha Hill mine and
public access to Nga Tihi O Moehau are some examples.
2.2 Loss of Heritage Sites, Features,
Places & Landscapes
The term “heritage landscapes” relates to the importance
of understanding sites, features and places and their pro-
tection and management in cultural, physical and histor-
ical context. Hauraki Whänui see each site and feature as
part of a dynamic settlement where the old people lived,
fished, gathered harakeke, conducted religious instruc-
tions and where they fought and died. Current decision
making processes do not fully appreciate the importance
of landscape context to the protection and management
of wähi tapu and cultural heritage sites.
Places valued by Hauraki Whänui for their natural
resources, such as mahinga kai, rongoa, places to collect
Te Whenua o Hauraki, he Taonga
“This is my chapel, the resting place of my tupuna.”
Matai Whetu Hui, March 2001.
Figure 3: Current Heritage Management Responsibilities
Agency Responsibilities
Ministry of Culture and Heritage Provision of heritage policy advice to government
Monitoring performance of New Zealand Historic Places Trust
Administration of Antiquities Act 1975
New Zealand Historic Places Trust To promote the identification, protection and management of the 
historical and cultural heritage of New Zealand
Maintains a register of Historic Places and wähi tapu
Department of Conservation Manage for conservation purposes all historic heritage on lands 
administered by the Department
Develop policies for the protection of Mäori historic heritage on lands 
administered by the Department.
Local Government Development of policies and methods for the protection of historic 
heritage in RMA processes
As owners and administrators of lands, parks, road and infrastructure

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 25
materials for weaving and waka building fall within the
definition of cultural heritage sites. So do ecosystems
and habitats that support or formerly supported impor-
tant mahinga kai and mätaitai areas form part of our cul-
tural heritage.
These heritage landscapes, features, places and sites have
suffered irreparable loss and continue to be destroyed or
modified through land use and development today.
2.3 Statutory Heritage Management Systems
A number of agencies have statutory responsibilities to
protect the cultural heritage of Hauraki whänui. These
agencies have not been effective in stemming the loss of
our wähi tapu and cultural heritage.
The 1998 Cultural Heritage Review acknowledged the sig-
nificant loss of Mäori heritage sites and wähi tapu and the
limited decision making role of Mäori in contemporary her-
itage management. From 1st September 1999, in
response, the current government realigned historic her-
itage management roles and responsibilities. The Minister
of Culture and Heritage through the Ministry of Culture and
Heritage now has primary responsibility for heritage policy
along with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, the
Department of Conservation and local authorities.
There are limited opportunities for Hauraki Whänui to
make final decisions about the protection and manage-
ment of wähi tapu and cultural heritage sites. Decision
making on cultural heritage matters is currently domi-
nated by government agencies, New Zealand Historic
Places Trust and local authorities.
2.4 Access to Heritage Sites
In order to maintain the relationship with the whenua
and moana, appropriate access to wähi tapu and cultural
heritage sites and places is essential. Many wähi tapu
and cultural heritage sites are inaccessible to Hauraki
Whänui because they are geographically isolated, i.e. on
islands, in forest or located on private land. Private
landowners can be insensitive to the need of Hauraki
Whänui to have ongoing access to these places and local
authorities do not have satisfactory policies in place to
address issues of access.
“There was no natural feature, which defied description and
therefore appropriate naming. Ranges, ridges, promontories
and streams identified tribal and personal boundaries.
Prominent peaks, rivers and seas assumed a personification
of great reverence. Every topographical feature, however
insignificant, promoted a commemoration to ancestors,
deeds, events, phenomena and an acknowledgement to
atua, the gods of creation.”
Extract from Turoa, Taimoana. (1999) Nga Iwi o Hauraki: The Hauraki Treaty Claims, 
Volume 2, Hauraki Mäori Trust Board: Paeroa, p4.
Te Whenua o Hauraki, he Taonga
MAP 2:
Recorded archaeological sites in the Hauraki Rohe

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan26
2.5 Customary Use
The customary use of natural resources such as native
plants, animals, minerals and soils sustain the cultural
heritage of Hauraki Whänui who were once totally reliant
on natural resources as a food source and for all aspects
of life.
Many of the places where these materials were gathered
either no longer exist or are not accessible to Hauraki
Whänui. In terms of the animals used for customary pur-
poses many are now threatened and endangered. The
use of these natural resources in the daily lives of
Hauraki whänui has also been diminished either through
scarcity, life style changes and lost knowledge about their
collection and preparation.
2.6 Traditional Knowledge & Practice
Traditional and contemporary environmental manage-
ment practice of Hauraki Whänui is based on tikanga
and the accumulated knowledge, experience and prac-
tice of successive generations. This tikanga, knowledge
and practice survived the social and economic upheaval
experienced by the old people in the 19th and 20th cen-
turies albeit in a diminished state. At present, tradi-
tional knowledge and practice of Hauraki Whänui is
being incrementally lost as each generation passes.
There is a common concern amongst Hauraki Whänui
that traditional knowledge, its practice and application
to contemporary environmental management will con-
tinue to be lost if current approaches to preserving and
restoring mätauranga Mäori are maintained. A key chal-
lenge for Hauraki Whänui is to do this in a way that
ensures that our mätauranga and the holders of that
information are fully protected.
2.7 Intellectual Property Rights
Hauraki Whänui, like most Iwi, regard themselves as the
owners and kaitiaki of customary resources and the inven-
tors of traditional knowledge and practice. Hauraki whänui
are concerned that native plants and animals under their
care, and the traditional knowledge associated to them
could be exploited for commercial purposes without their
consent. Similar concerns exist in respect to the commer-
cialisation of wähi tapu and cultural heritage sites.
2.8 Genetic Modification
Genetic Modification is an industrial technology that
enables individual genes or hereditary properties from
one plant or animal to be seperated changed and trans-
ferred into the cells of another plant or animal. It can
give a plant or animal new characteristics that are inher-
ited faster than traditional cross breeding methods. On
the face of it, this technology is at odds with Mäori views
on the relationship between humans and nature.
In July 2001, the Royal Commission on Genetic
Modification reported its findings to the government. In
November 2001 the government announced its response
to the Royal Commission findings. The moratorium on the
commercial release of genetically engineered organisms
was lifted in October 2003 
3. OBJECTIVES 
a) Wähi tapu and cultural heritage sites are being
protected from use and development in the
Hauraki tribal region.
b) The relevant statutory agencies and resource
developers and users are working with Hauraki
Whänui to protect wähi tapu and cultural heritage
sites.
c) Hauraki whänui have the lead responsibility for
managing the protection, preservation and use of
wähi tapu and cultural heritage sites, places and
landscapes of importance to Hauraki Whänui.River through Karangahake Gorge.
Marae landscape.
Te Whenua o Hauraki, he Taonga

d) Traditional knowledge and practice associated to
wähi tapu, cultural heritage sites, features, places
and landscapes are being maintained, built on and
protected.
e) Develop protocols that protect the intellectual
property rights of Hauraki whänui and provide for
their customary and contemporary use of and
access to natural resources.
f) Survey and assess the risks facing wähi tapu and
cultural heritage sites in the Hauraki tribal region.
g) To develop a collective Hauraki Whänui position on
genetic engineering and its use in the Hauraki
tribal region.
4. OUTCOMES
a) Heritage landscapes, heritage sites, features,
places and wähi tapu are protected
b) Cultural resources are used, enhanced and
sustained
c) Greater community and agency awareness of the
importance of Hauraki cultural heritage
d) Consensus view on genetic modification
e) Traditional knowledge is valued and being passed
on to the next generation
f) Intellectual property rights are protected
g) Hauraki Whänui are exercising their kaitiaki
responsibilities 
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 27
Te Whenua o Hauraki, he Taonga
Auckland Harbour Bridge.

1. INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND
Part 4 is focused on goals and strategies that will support
Hauraki Whänui in their kaitiaki role and to achieve the
undertakings contained in Part 3 to sustain the mauri of
the environment and protect cultural heritage.
The kaitiaki role, its ethics and practices has arisen from
centuries of close interaction with the environment.
Central to this management approach is the belief that all
living and non-living things, including humans, are inter-
related and possess a unique life energy or mauri that
must be protected and sustained.
Mäori throughout Aotearoa moved to reaffirm their status
as kaitiaki in the early period of interactions with the
Crown and settlers through the Declaration of
Independence in 1835 and the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.
The laws that were enacted by the newly established gov-
ernment ignored their role as kaitiaki and excluded their
participation from planning processes up until 1977 when
minimal recognition was given to Mäori in environmental
law and practice. Early claims to the Waitangi Tribunal
spoke about environmental concerns and the need to
reform law to give better cognisance to Mäori, culminating
in the Resource Management Act 1991. The RMA has been
the subject of much criticism since its inception.
Hauraki Whänui continue to express dissatisfaction at the
level of their participation in environmental planning
processes today. Progress on building positive relation-
ships between Hauraki Whänui and central and local gov-
ernment in environmental management is variable and
can be extremely slow.
2. ISSUES
2.1 Environmental Accountability
Future governance arrangements for Hauraki Whänui
should have in place accountability systems that report on
environmental as well as social and financial performance.
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan28
Section 4: Ngä Nekenekehanga
“Our value systems are not being passed onto future
generations, our customary knowledge is being lost.”
Tirohia Hui, June 2001.
Ministry for the Environment, 1998
Figure 4: Five Components of Environmental Education.

2.2 Supporting Kaitiaki
The goal being pursued is one where individuals and
communities within Hauraki Whänui have the knowledge;
skills and attitudes that help them to make wise decisions
affecting the environment. There are limited opportuni-
ties for Hauraki Whänui to develop, strengthen or build
on skills that are necessary to participate effectively in
environmental and heritage management processes
including formulating and assessing policies, plans and
consents and participating in statutory processes. It is
difficult for Hauraki Whänui to share their knowledge,
skills and experience with each other because of increas-
ing workloads that limit opportunities for co-operation.
2.3 Communication
The nature of environment and heritage issues in the
tribal region requires Hauraki Whänui to work together
where shared goals are present. Achieving this is difficult
without effective communication. At present, there are
limited opportunities for Hauraki Whänui to discuss,
share experiences and information and agree on shared
actions for the environment and heritage of the Hauraki
tribal region. Good communication is ongoing and can be
a conduit for re-building trust, improving our accounta-
bility to the environment and each other and developing
innovative approaches to old problems.
2.4 Decision Making
There is general dissatisfaction amongst Hauraki Whänui
at the level of their involvement in statutory environ-
mental and heritage decision-making processes.
This dissatisfaction is in part due to issues like Hauraki
Whänui access to information, knowledge and skills.
There is also a perception that the relevant government
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 29
Ngä Nekenekehanga
In Process (a request has been received and is
being processed)
No written request from Iwi
Inappropriate (The approach was considered to
have used an inappropriate process)
Consultation challenged (the consultation process
for the request was challenged)
Other work (Council has other work priorities)
No plan (there is no operative council plan or
policy prepared under the RMA)
Iwi priorities (Iwi have indicated an interest, but
other iwi work takes priority)
Alternatives (there are alternatives that have been
used or are preferred)
Iwi/hapü (there is concern that the request is from
a hapü not an iwi)
Neutrality (the council is perceived to be more
neutral than iwi/hapü and/or it does not wish to
give unfettered authority to iwi over its land)
Overlaps (it is unclear who has mana whenua over
the area, or there are clearly competing claims)
Opposition (there has been specific opposition
expressed to the proposal)
Stability (the stability of the `iwi’ agency [ie land
Trust] is questioned)
Fragmentation (areas over which Mäori control is
sought are fragments of a wider resource and
could lead to inconsistencies in administration)
Changed owners (administration transferred to a
trust because it owns the land, but the land owned
may be sold or otherwise change hands)
Expertise (the proposed iwi authority lacks the
expertise to undertake the functions sought)
Money (the proposed iwi authority lacks the
financial resources and/or there is no obvious
reasons or means for them to obtain appropriate
funding)
No more efficient (there is no evidence that a
transfer will lead to more efficient administration)
Not use (the council does not use s.33 by
implication it has considered the possibility)
Not considered (the council has not considered
using s.33)
No info. (the council has no information about s.33
on its files)
Mainstream (the council perceives that s.33 may
marginalize Mäori from the RMA process and
believes that Mäori should be mainstreamed)
Power (council believes that councils are reluctant
to give up their powers)
Slow growth (council believes that the lack of
pressure on resources in its region may explain
lack of interest in s.33)
Rennie, H., Thomson, J., Tutua-Nathan, T.2000
Figure 5: Reasons Given by Councils For Not Transferring Powers to Iwi.

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan30
agencies and local authorities, despite having mandatory
requirements to Hauraki Whänui, lack the political and/or
technical commitment to build positive long-term part-
nerships with Hauraki Whänui. Processes for building
partnerships and formulating policies are variable geo-
graphically and over time.
2.5 Access to Information
Good information about the environment is an essential
foundation for wise resource management. Hauraki
Whänui regard traditional knowledge and practice as
the basis for their environmental management
approaches and practices today. Western scientific
knowledge can, if used wisely, strengthen the ability of
Hauraki Whänui to exercise their role as kaitiaki and
participate effectively in statutory environmental man-
agement processes.
Both information types have ownership and access
related issues. Access to traditional knowledge and deci-
sions about its use will be restricted and require consent
from the holders of that knowledge. There is particular
concern about the lack of security for traditional infor-
mation on Geographic Information Systems. There are
limited opportunities to agree on and implement a
process for the protection of traditional knowledge.
It is difficult to access western scientific information
because it is not generally collected or interpreted in a
way that meets the information needs of Hauraki Whänui
in their role as kaitiaki.
2.6 Monitoring
Assessing the environmental state of the Hauraki tribal
region requires, amongst other things, sound, relevant
and co-ordinated environmental monitoring practices.
Developing a regional tribal environmental monitoring
programme is made difficult by a number of factors
including:
The geographical expanse
Poor co-ordination of information/monitoring
Variable external relationships
Logistics, costs, capacity
It is also difficult for Hauraki Whänui to measure whether
central and local governments are upholding their
responsibilities under the Treaty of Waitangi and under
law in the absence of a tribal monitoring programme
which tracks central and local government performance
over time.
2.7 Community Awareness
There can be limited awareness amongst local communi-
ties about the role of Hauraki Whänui in environmental
and heritage management and this can create cross-cul-
tural conflict and mis-understandings which in turn can
Ngä Nekenekehanga
Figure 6: Example of Indigenous Environmental Indicators
Phenomenon Indicator Examples of Kagore
Stewardship of natural resources Strength of local institutions No of village assemblies
Maintenance of resource flows Role of svikiro in village assemblies
Fruit and water harvests from
specific sites
Respect for the land Effectiveness of indigenous regulations No of water points protected
Extent of vegetal cover Use of local species in afforestation
and surface afforested
Ecological enhancement Maintenance of sacred sites Habitat regeneration
Enforcement of indigenous regulations Increased distribution of tree 
species
Slope protection Extent of vegetal cover Continued protection of terraced 
Extent of gully erosion areas by local residents
Rehabilitation of specific sites in 
Kagore
IUCN.,1997

make it difficult for Hauraki Whänui to address sustain-
ability issues in the tribal region.
3. OBJECTIVES
a) Environmental performance is being reported
annually as part of good corporate governance
practice within Hauraki Whänui, government, local
authorities and the wider community.
b) Hauraki Whänui have the necessary knowledge,
information and skills to make wise decisions
affecting their environment and heritage.
c) Hauraki Whänui are participating in environmental
decision making at a central, regional and local
government levels and of their own accord.
d) Western scientific research and information is
accessible to Hauraki Whänui for their use to
support their role as kaitiaki and traditional
knowledge is protected from misuse.
e) Hauraki Whänui are monitoring the environment,
heritage and the performance of relevant agencies
in providing for the needs of Hauraki Whänui as
kaitiaki.
f) Provide training and development opportunities for
Hauraki Whänui in environmental and heritage
management.
g) To make advisory and professional services in
respect to environmental matters available to
Hauraki Whänui.
h) Establish scholarships for Hauraki Whänui
intending to undertake tertiary study in the
environmental science and resource management
field.
i) To promote and encourage central and local
government to contribute resources and support to
the development and implementation of Iwi
planning documents prepared by Hauraki Whänui.
j) Hauraki Whänui role is given effect to in policy,
planning, consent, and monitoring processes under
the Resource Management Act 1991.
k) To develop and maintain an environmental
database of the environment and resources of the
Hauraki tribal region and make that accessible to
Hauraki Whänui.
l) To develop and implement community awareness
programmes and guidelines in partnership with
local government to increase understanding of the
role of Hauraki Whänui as kaitiaki.
m) Develop, maintain and enhance relationships with
central and local government agencies and key
community, industry, business and environmental
groups in the Hauraki tribal region.
4. OUTCOMES
a) Mätauranga Mäori as it relates to environmental
management is protected, maintained and
enhanced
b) Hauraki Whänui possess a range of knowledge and
skills necessary to participate as kaitiaki in
resource management decision making processes
c) Treaty based relationships with central and local
government and others
d) Hauraki Whänui have access to the results of
scientific research.
e) The wider community is informed about and
understands the relationship of Hauraki Whänui
with the environment.
f) Communication of information amongst Hauraki
Whänui on environmental issues is improved.
g) Hauraki Whänui initiatives to address sustainability
and heritage issues in the region are encouraged,
and supported and where appropriate,
coordinated.
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 31
Ngä Nekenekehanga
Coastline Kuaotunu.

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan32
1. INTRODUCTION
Part 5 of the plan sets out a framework for action by
Hauraki Whänui to progress towards the objectives and
outcomes of Part 3 and Part 4.
2. PAPATÜANUKU
2.1 SUMMARY
The focus of these actions is to protect the whenua from
human activities that are potentially harmful. It also tar-
gets restoration initiatives.
Sustainable Land Use
Protection of dunes as coastal buffers
Flood and drought prevention
Protection of land from toxic materials
Erosion and Sediment Control
Sensitive siting of settlements and infrastructure
Protection of heritage features
Better management of environmental damage from
mining and quarrying.
2.2 RESTORING & SUSTAINABLY USING
PEATLANDS
Scope
These actions are targeted towards sustaining the fertil-
ity of peat soils and allowing for their wise management
and use.
Actions
a) Promote and develop work on Hauraki peat soils to
determine whether these resources are sustainable
under present land use practices.
b) Identify and implement sustainable development
opportunities that are reliant on restored and
healthy peatlands, for example, tuna farming and
harakeke plantations.
Hauraki Whenua Whai Taonga
Section 5: Hauraki Whenua Whai Taonga
Artwork by Rei Hannon, Manaia.
“How can we make a real difference to what’s 
happening and be a part of that?”
Matai Whetu Hui, March 2001.

Potential External Partners
Environment Waikato
Department of Conservation
NIWA
Landcare
2.3 PROTECTING & RESTORING
COASTAL DUNE LANDS
Scope
These actions look to sustain coastal dune lands and their
role as a buffer for Papatüanuku from the effects of
storms.
Actions
a) Promote and encourage policies that seek to
protect, restore and sustain coastal dune lands.
b) Test the Dune Care framework in terms of its
potential to assist Hauraki Whänui to protect and
restore coastal dune lands.
c) Develop a dune land monitoring and restoration
capacity amongst Hauraki Whänui.
d) Ensure that wähi tapu and cultural heritage sites
located in coastal dune lands are protected from
use and development, including extraction,
recreational, scientific and beach nourishment
activities.
Potential External Partners
Environment Waikato
Department of Conservation
NIWA
2.4 PREVENTING FLOOD & DROUGHTS
Scope
These actions seek to restore catchments as an effective
buffer against flooding and drought.
Actions
a) Hauraki Whänui in partnership with others to
evaluate wetland restoration activities and changes
to rivers and water tables in existing and restored
wetlands as a way to monitor the recovery or
capacity of catchments to buffer flood and drought
effects.
Potential External Partners
Regional and district councils
NIWA
Landcare
2.5 CHANGING COMMUNITY 
ATTITUDES TO WASTE
Scope
Changing waste disposal practices in the community
through education, information and practical assistance.
Actions
a) Develop community awareness programmes on
sustainable waste management practices to
encourage the reduction, reuse and recycling of
waste.
b) Developing a project to equip Hauraki marae with
waste recycling facilities and information.
c) Develop a monitoring capacity for contaminated
sites such as old landfills and hazardous substance
disposal sites.
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 33
Flood damage, Waiomu.
Flood damage, Manaia.
Hauraki Whenua Whai Taonga

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan34
Potential External Partners
Regional and district councils
2.6 REDUCING EROSION & 
SEDIMENT FROM LAND
Scope
Exposed hillsides and river-banks and a lack of plants in
the landscape and along waterways allows large amounts
of sediment to enter our rivers, streams and harbours
having a significant impact on receiving water environ-
ments. These actions are focused on restoration, moni-
toring and the development of sound policies.
Actions
a) Develop and implement a riparian and wetland
restoration project in the catchments of the
Hauraki tribal region. Catchments should comprise
diverse use impacts including forestry areas, hill
country, intensively stocked lowlands and new
coastal subdivisions with erosion and
sedimentation issues present.
b) Hauraki Whänui to determine the rate and extent
of planting in each catchment in consultation with
relevant agencies and resource developers.
c) Develop and agree on what methods to limit soil
exposure should be applied and monitored.
d) Develop practical models and information
guidelines on soil erosion prevention methods to
spread the use of this approach by Hauraki
Whänui in other catchments.
e) Hauraki Whänui would run wänanga on soil
erosion prevention methods using project sites and
local meeting places to spread and share the use
of this approach.
Potential External Partners
Regional and district councils
Local communities
Landcare
Ministry for the Environment
Department of Conservation
2.7 MANAGING IMPACTS OF 
REGIONAL GROWTH
Scope
These actions target concerns about the impacts of
regional and local growth on the environment, resources
and heritage of the Hauraki tribal region and the cultural
well being of Hauraki Whänui.
These actions would commence on completion of the a
cultural heritage survey and assessment (see action 7.2)
and a strategy for reconnecting forests and wetlands (see
action 4.2)
Action Plans target a more careful approach to the siting
of settlement, utilities that supply them and other struc-
tures in the Hauraki landscape. Siting works in a way that
limits damage to landscape features or other heritage
sites, features and places used and valued by Hauraki
Whänui is a key issue.
Actions
a) Promote and encourage Regional and District
Councils to develop variations to existing policy
statements and plans to provide for the growth
constraint expectations of Hauraki Whänui.
Variations should apply to the siting and
development of new settlements, sub-divisions,
public facilities, utilities and other structures.
Potential External Partners
Regional and district councils
Hauraki Whenua Whai Taonga
Quarry, 309 Road, Coromandel.
Artwork by Aroha Bidois.

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 35
2.8 IMPACTS OF MINING & QUARRYING
Scope
Historically, mining and quarrying has left a legacy of
damage, some of which is still being revisited on each
generation, for example, Tui mine. Working with agencies
and Councils to reduce the impacts of mining and quar-
rying and develop ways to address long standing adverse
effects is the focus of these actions.
Actions
a) Pilot projects to develop and trial methods that
limit environmental damage and rehabilitate
mining and quarrying sites.
b) Enhance the capacity of Hauraki Whänui to
monitor mine and quarry sites, including land
stability, water quality, and fisheries health and
heritage protection.
Potential External Partners
Regional and district councils
Landcare
NIWA
Ministry for the Environment
Industry
3. RANGINUI
3.1 SUMMARY
These actions are targeted towards improving air quality
in the Hauraki rohe. These actions also identify the need
to monitor and become involved in international, central
and local government policy programmes for Climate
Change and Ozone Depletion.
3.2 ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Scope
This action plan seeks to encourage responsible behav-
iours and support the search for alternative technologies
and more efficient energy use.
Actions
a) Develop community awareness programmes and
information targeted towards Hauraki Whänui and
local communities to encourage a reduction in car
use and sound energy efficiency practice.
b) Pilot projects that investigate the feasibility of
sustainable development initiatives that develop
alternative more sustainable energy sources
Potential External Partners
Regional and district councils
Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority
Ministry for the Environment
3.3 INFLUENCING GOVERNMENT POLICY
Scope
Hauraki Whänui need to remain informed and influence
government climate change and ozone depletion policies.
Actions
a) Monitor and influence policies developed for
Climate Change and Ozone depletion pertaining to
the Hauraki tribal region.
b) Monitor and influence the extent to which local
governments provide for Climate Change and
Ozone depletion issues at a regional and district
level.
Potential External Partners
Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority
Ministry for the Environment
Regional and district councils
Hauraki Whenua Whai Taonga
Smoke pollution.

4. TÄNE MAHUTA
4.1 SUMMARY
Actions are targeted towards the management, protection
and restoration of forest and their habitats, ecosystems
and species and their use by Hauraki Whänui. They are:
Restoring native plants and forests
Traditional resource use
4.2 RESTORING NATIVE PLANTS & FORESTS
Scope
Hauraki Whänui wanted to find practical ways to con-
tribute to protecting and restoring native plants and
reconnecting forests using native plant reserves, public
land, rivers, roads, islands and property boundaries
planted in native species.
Actions that are focused on the restoration of native for-
est, wetland and dune plant communities for the pur-
poses of providing homes for native birds, insects and
other whänau of Täne Mahuta and Tangaroa.
Apart from the environmental outcomes such as increas-
ing biological diversity by restoring ecological corridors,
restored native plant communities or habitats can have
direct social, economic and cultural benefits for Hauraki
Whänui including:
Enhancing traditional use rights such as the use
of native plants for rongoa, weaving or as a
food source.
Providing opportunities for sustainable
development initiatives by Hauraki Whänui such
as the growing and harvesting harakeke or wild
tuna farming.
Increasing skills amongst Hauraki Whänui in the
collection and conservation of locally sourced
seed stock, establishing and running local
nurseries, raising plants, pest management
activities and planting native trees.
Supported by opportunities to wänanga on the
tikanga and activities associated to this work.
Providing a “toolbox” for other interested groups
in Hauraki Whänui to use when developing their
own restoration programmes.
Actions
a) Select sites. Catchments are preferred because it
enables the management of areas as natural
systems, giving a good picture of local conditions
and assisting broader goals such as the protection
of river and stream environments from
contaminants and sedimentation from land use
activities.
b) Consultation with the relevant local agencies and
groups in the selection of sites may provide
opportunities for joint or complimentary projects.
For example, timing the growing of native plants
to meet the demands of Environment Waikato’s
riparian re-planting programme.
c) Develop a regional strategy for the restoration and
re-connection of native forests, wetlands and other
native plant communities in the Hauraki tribal
region. This should include pest management
activities, a maintenance programme and
monitoring to track habitat and ecosystem
recovery. Long term strategies for the
reintroduction of native birds into restored forests
and wetlands should also be considered,
particularly in island environments.
d) Establish a Hauraki seed bank and Plant Source
Register.
e) Establish nurseries where seed banks would be
maintained and plants would be raised. It is likely
that those involved in collecting and growing
plants would play a vital role in planting native
trees, project management and ongoing
maintenance.
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan36
Hauraki Whenua Whai Taonga
Artwork by Tawera Moanaroa.

f) Provision should also be made for the preparation
of training and education materials and workshops
for individuals or groups to carry out their own
seed collection, growing and planting activities.
Potential External Partners
Environment Waikato
Auckland Regional Council
Landcare Trust
QE11 Trust
Regional Biodiversity Forum
Department of Conservation
4.3 TRADITIONAL PLANT RESOURCE USE
Scope
The use of traditional resources sourced from forests,
wetlands, coastal lands and plant and animal communi-
ties for customary purposes is important to Hauraki
Whänui. These actions should be aligned to restoration
and sustainable development initiatives.
Actions
a) Identify and protect existing places utilised for
customary purposes.
b) Select natural resources and sites that could be
used to replant native plants for traditional use
purposes.
c) Developing an access strategy to provide for the
sustainable and ongoing use of traditional
resources.
Potential External Partners
The Department of Conservation
Regional and District Councils
State Owned Enterprises
Landowners
5. TANGAROA WHAKAMAU 
WAI MÄORI
5.1 SUMMARY
Actions are targeted towards the management, protec-
tion and restoration of rivers and streams and their
resources. Action Plans describe how Hauraki Whänui will
improve their inland waterways, their plant life, fisheries,
birds and other whänaunga. There are four components
of action: catchment management, habitat improve-
ment, natural resource recovery and monitoring.
5.2 MANAGING & PROTECTING
CATCHMENTS
Scope
Catchment based plans allow Hauraki Whänui to track
environmental changes, undertake restoration activities,
improve understandings about local conditions and the
management of land use effects. They provide a holistic
context for a number of specific actions that collectively
contribute to the sustainability of catchment ecosystems.
Restoring the natural ability of Hauraki rivers to regulate
water flows and availability during times of flood and
drought; re-planting a network of forests for birds and
other plant and animal life are the kinds of issues that
would be addressed on a catchment wide basis.
Seven river systems have been highlighted during the
preparation of the plan as potential catchment areas; the
Waihou and Piako rivers, the Wairoa river, the
Whakatiwai stream, the Wentworth and Otahu rivers, the
Manaia river and the Tairua river.
Actions
a) To develop catchment based strategies to:
Protect land and encourage well-suited land
uses.
Re-establish an inter-connected forest network.
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 37
Hauraki Whenua Whai Taonga
Artwork by Waylon Brown.

Sustain minimum water quantity and quality
standards.
Restore wetlands and riparian plantings to
reduce flood damage and lessen the effect of
drought.
Select tributaries for restoration of habitat for
fisheries and other resources.
b) To develop a catchment monitoring programme
that monitors:
land-use suitability
recovery rates for erosion
forest inter-connectedness
flood reduction
water quality and quantity
habitat recovery l resource recovery
Waahi tapu and cultural heritage protection 
c) Develop and disseminate educational materials
and guidelines on the value of catchment base
planning as a tool for managing local
environments.
Potential External Partners
Regional and District Councils
Department of Conservation
Ministry of Fisheries
NIWA
Landcare
5.3 RESTORING RIVER & 
WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS
Scope
These actions are focused on the restoration of river and
wetland ecosystems. Here are found the gathering places
for tuna, inanga, paraki, kaeo, këwai, harakeke, rongoa,
watercress and many other resources essential for the
cultural, social and economic lifestyle of Hauraki Whänui.
Actions
a) Survey and select sites for wetland and river
habitat restoration.
b) Prepare manuals and educational materials
c) Develop sites and restore habitats 
d) Select sites and plant harakeke beds 
e) Monitor habitat recovery
Potential External Partners
Regional and District Councils
Department of Conservation
Ministry of Fisheries
Landcare
5.4 SUSTAINING & DEVELOPING 
TUNA & INANGA FISHERIES
Scope
Action plans should focus on the restoration of former fish-
eries sites or the development of new ones, ways to pro-
tect, manage and monitor these sites and their fisheries.
Actions
a) Develop catchment-based strategies for the
recovery of tuna and inanga whitebait fisheries.
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan38
Hauraki Whenua Whai Taonga
Erosion of the river bank. Most of the rivers on the
Peninsula have altered course because farmers
have damaged the buffer zones and farmed to the
river’s edge.
Pukewhakataratara. 

b) Develop a programme to monitor recovery of the
tuna and inanga whitebait fisheries.
c) Develop agreements with the Ministry of Fisheries
to utilise commercial catch effort for the tuna.
d) Develop and implement, in conjunction with NIWA,
an elver-monitoring project on selected Hauraki
rivers.
e) Survey the Waihou and Piako Rivers to determine
the nature and extent of the kaeo fishery and its
plant habitat.
f) Trial and develop pilot commercial tuna and inanga
whitebait farms within the Waihou-Piako
catchment or other suitable sites.
g) Work with Environment Waikato, the Auckland
Regional Council, district councils and the
Department of Conservation to remove barriers of
access for native fisheries.
Potential External Partners
Environment Waikato
Auckland Regional Council
Ministry of Fisheries
Ministry for the Environment
NIWA
6. TANGAROA RERENGA WAI TAI
6.1 SUMMARY
Actions are targeted towards the management, protec-
tion and restoration of the coastal environment and its
resources. They are:
Strategies for Tikapa Moana and Te Tai
Tamawahine
Restoring local coastal environments
Reducing coastal sedimentation and
contamination
Sustaining Fisheries
Enhancing coastal monitoring capacity
6.2 TIKAPA MOANA & TE TAI
TAMAWAHINE
Scope
This action seeks to develop a regional strategy for the
protection, management and restoration of Tikapa Moana
and Te Tai Tamawahine developed and adopted by
Hauraki Whänui. It would also need to include a regional
monitoring programme. It is envisaged that the regional
strategy would support and be supported by the local
catchment management plans and programmes outlined
in action 6.3.
Actions
a) Hauraki Whänui to develop and adopt regional
strategies for the protection, management and
restoration of Tikapa Moana and Te Tai
Tamawahine.
Potential External Partners
Department of Conservation
Hauraki Gulf Forum
Ministry of Fisheries
Regional and District Councils\\
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 39
Coromandel oyster farms.
Artwork by Maria Desai.
Hauraki Whenua Whai Taonga

6.3 RESTORING LOCAL COASTAL
ENVIRONMENTS
Scope
The purpose of these actions is to develop management
plans and programmes for the protection, management
and restoration of specific coastal areas and their
resources, which collectively will contribute to the man-
agement of Tikapa Moana and the eastern board of the
Coromandel Peninsula as identified in action 6.2. These
places are predominantly harbour and island catchment
environments, which have values that are unique to that
place and that Hauraki Whänui want to protect. The unique
plant and animal life, mahinga mätaitai and mahinga kai
(titi) on the Ruamaahua islands or the high productivity of
the Firth of Thames that supports important feeding and
growing grounds for fish are two examples. Some specific
areas highlighted at Hui include estuarine areas along the
Wharekawa coast, the lower reaches of rivers entering
Tikapa Moana, like the Waihou and Piako and the harbours
of Whangamata, Manaia, Tairua and Whitianga.
Actions
a) Develop local coastal catchment based strategies
that should include: 
Programmes for restoring coastal estuaries
including mahinga mätaitai, waahi tapu and
cultural heritage sites, nursery grounds
enhancement and replanting activities.
Strategies to address land use impacts, such as
participation in resource consent processes and
river and stream riparian planting.
Provision for restoring plant communities
traditionally valued by Hauraki Whänui such as
pïngao.
Coastal monitoring programmes.
Processes to involve local communities
b) Implement programmes developed in catchment
based strategies to protect and restore local
coastal environments.
c) Develop a coastal environment awareness
programme or information package to encourage
community respect for the relationship of Hauraki
Whänui with the coast.
Potential External Partners
Auckland Regional Council
Waikato Regional Council
Department of Conservation
Hauraki Gulf Forum
NIWA
Cawthorn Institute
6.4 REDUCING SEDIMENTATION &
CONTAMINATION
Scope
One of the ways to help protect coastal environments is
to reduce the sediment and contaminants that are enter-
ing the moana from the land. Hauraki Whänui need
strategies and actions in place to reduce sediment and
contaminant loading. Establishing a monitoring pro-
gramme capable of measuring improvements is also
required. These considerations could be undertaken as a
component of action 6.2 and/or action 6.3 or it could be
developed as a stand alone action plan.
Actions
a) Develop and implement riparian planting and other
sediment trapping methods for reducing the input
of sediments and contaminants from land use into
the coastal environment.
b) Develop and implement a monitoring programme
which should include:
Monitoring inter tidal shell fish recovery as an
indicator of improved habitats
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan40
Hauraki Whenua Whai Taonga
View from Cathedral Cove overlooking Castle Rock and
the Needles.
Beach at Wharekaho.

Monitoring populations of kina and other species
reliant on sea-weeds as indicators of reduced
sediment loads
Monitoring water clarity as an indicator of
reduced sediment loads
c) Developing a local capacity to respond to oil and
hazardous substances spills in coastal
environments.
Potential External Partners
Auckland Regional Council
Environment Waikato
Hauraki Gulf Forum
Ministry of Fisheries
Maritime Safety Authority
NIWA
6.5 SUSTAINING FISHERIES
Scope
Sustaining fisheries is reliant on a number of actions
including habitat improvement, pest control, and man-
aging harvests for traditional, recreational and com-
mercial fishers. Re-seeding depleted areas and the sit-
ing and monitoring of marine farming areas are also rel-
evant matters. These actions are focused primarily on
transferring certain decision making powers and moni-
toring functions from central and local government to
Hauraki Whänui in fisheries management. These actions
should be aligned to customary fisheries strategies of
Hauraki Whänui.
Actions
a) Developing protocols and strategies with key
agencies to ensure the participation of Hauraki
Whänui in the stock assessment process.
b) Working with key agencies to develop strategies to
research, manage, and control access and to
restore wild fisheries.
c) Working with key agencies to transfer monitoring
functions to Hauraki Whänui for key shell fisheries
and fish stocks present in Tikapa Moana.
d) Working with Environment Waikato and the
Auckland Regional Council to transfer specific
resource consent and monitoring powers, duties
and functions to Hauraki Whänui.
e) Piloting a shell fish re-seeding and enhancement
programmes.
f) Develop a Hauraki Whänui capacity to monitor and
respond to ballast water invasions and the
occurrence and spread of pests in coastal
environments.
Potential External Partners
Ministry of Fisheries
Regional Councils
Department of Conservation
NIWA
6.6 WHALES & SEA MAMMALS
Scope
These actions are concerned with the protection of
whales and other marine mammals and the wise and
sustainable use of resources derived from these
taonga.
Actions
a) Develop regional and local protocols and strategies
for whale stranding and the sustainable use of
whale products.
b) Where appropriate, work with the Department of
Conservation to incorporate tribal protocols and
strategies into departmental practice.
c) Raise community awareness and understanding
about whales and other sea mammals in the rohe.
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 41
Hauraki Whenua Whai Taonga
Artwork by Kristin Te Moananui, Paeroa.

Potential External Partners
Department of Conservation
Local Communities
6.7 COASTAL MONITORING
Scope
Most of the actions identified have a monitoring compo-
nent in terms of measuring changes to the moana, its
habitats, ecosystems and fisheries. Improving relation-
ships with central and local government and local com-
munities is also a common strand in actions identified.
Actions
a) Developing capacity to monitor changes to the
moana, its habitats, ecosystems and fisheries
Potential External Partners
Regional and district Councils
Department of Conservation
Ministry of Fisheries
Ministry for the Environment
Hauraki Gulf Forum
NIWA
7. RONGOMATANE
7.1 SUMMARY
Actions are targeted towards the management, protec-
tion and restoration of waahi tapu and cultural heritage
sites, places, features and landscapes and associated tra-
ditional knowledge and use in the Hauraki tribal region.
They are:
Cultural heritage survey and assessment;
Cultural heritage case studies for the protection
and use of sites
Regulatory protection of cultural heritage;
Wänanga on cultural heritage
Cultural heritage awareness in the community.
7.2 CULTURAL HERITAGE SURVEY 
& ASSESSMENT
Scope
This action plan undertakes an initial survey on the state
of cultural heritage sites and wähi tapu that are already
publicly recorded and the risks associated to their protec-
tion. This will involve consolidating existing heritage infor-
mation from external agencies along with a significant field
visit component. Deciding on which cultural heritage sites
require protection first, what protection mechanisms
should be used, how information is to be protected, stored
and used and who would manage the process are integral
components of this action plan. This survey does not
extend to unrecorded cultural heritage sites that Hauraki
whänui seek to keep out of the public domain nor are sites
located on land in Mäori title covered.
Actions
a) Complete a cultural heritage survey and
assessment of publicly recorded sites in the
Hauraki tribal region.
b) Facilitate Hui to decide on priorities for the
protection of cultural heritage sites and associated
traditional knowledge and information.
Potential Partners
Ministry of Culture and Heritage
Regional and district Councils
New Zealand Historic Places Trust
Department of Conservation
Land owners and developers
7.3 PROTECTING SITE SPECIFIC
CULTURAL HERITAGE
Scope
A series of action plans are intended to pilot a different
range of models and mechanisms to support and
strengthen the ability of Hauraki Whänui to protect and
manage cultural heritage sites in the Hauraki tribal region.
Pilot studies will be site or issue specific and are intended
to cover the range of current heritage protection issues
facing Hauraki whänui. The topics proposed include:
a) Development of cultural heritage strategies in
selected areas.
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan42
Hauraki Whenua Whai Taonga
Owharoa Falls.

b) The protection of a cultural heritage site impacted
on by flood protection works.
c) The protection of a cultural heritage site impacted
on by public purpose designations such as
recreation reserve.
d) The protection of a cultural heritage sites in urban,
rural and coastal environments.
f) The preservation and restoration of a pa käinga
Actions
a) Develop and implement management plans for the
conservation, protection or restoration of selected
sites and areas.
b) Work with agencies with heritage functions to
provide formal protection to selected sites and
areas.
Potential External Partners
Regional and district councils
New Zealand Historic Places Trust
Department of Conservation
Landowners and developers
7.4 ENCOURAGING REGULATORY
HERITAGE PROTECTION
Scope
This action plan examines the effectiveness of tools avail-
able through agencies with statutory responsibilities for
cultural heritage protection and management from the
perspective of Hauraki whänui. It also seeks to develop
standards and guidelines for resource managers, users
and developers on heritage protection options.
Actions
a) To develop standards or guidelines for the
protection of cultural heritage of importance to
Hauraki whänui. Standards and guidelines should
include:
Protection standards and zones for specific
cultural heritage sites.
Cultural protocols for earthwork activities and
for the inadvertent disturbance of cultural
materials and koiwi arising from earthwork
activities and natural hazards.
Practical measures for the protection of cultural
heritage sites in different situations, for
example, rural, urban, subdivisions, forestry
operations and lands managed for conservation
purposes.
Monitoring and compliance guidelines 
Heritage management functions to be
transferred to Hauraki Whänui under existing
legislation.
b) To facilitate Hui for the purposes of developing and
agreeing on standards and guidelines and heritage
functions and powers to be transferred.
Potential External Partners
Regional and District Councils
New Zealand Historic Places Trust
Ministry of Culture and Heritage
7.5 WÄNANGA ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
Scope
This action plan seeks to transfer skills, knowledge and
practices to Hauraki Whänui about their cultural her-
itage, traditional knowledge and customary use.
Traditional skills would include the harvest, use and
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 43
Hauraki Whenua Whai Taonga
Hereheretaura Pa site at Te-o-a-hei (Hahei).
Rangitoto.

preparation of native foods and rongoa Mäori, arts such
as weaving and the making of gear used for fishing,
hunting and food storage.
Actions
a) Marae and field based wänanga to share
traditional knowledge and practices relating to
cultural heritage and its protection to Hauraki
Whänui.
Potential External Partners
Funding agencies, including Ministry of
Education
7.6 CULTURAL HERITAGE AWARENESS 
IN COMMUNITY
Scope
A community orientated awareness programme that has
targeted actions for enhancing understandings amongst
resource managers, private landowners, resource users,
developers and the wider community about the value of
Hauraki cultural heritage.
Actions
a) Marae-based workshops for local government
politicians and staff to increase awareness and
appreciation of Hauraki cultural heritage priorities.
b) Cultural heritage information guidelines for
resource users, developers, landowners and wider
community on the protection of Hauraki cultural
heritage
c) Developing and implementing protocols for
relationships between Hauraki whänui and private
landowners on site-specific heritage protection and
access provisions.
Potential External Partners
Regional and district councils
Landowners and developers
7.7 REACHING CONSENSUS ON
GENETIC ENGINEERING
Scope
These actions are focused on facilitating a process for
Hauraki Whänui to reach a position on GE and its use in
the Hauraki tribal region.
Actions
a) To facilitate Hui to enable Hauraki Whänui to reach
a consensus position on GE.
b) To influence government policy and processes in
respect to GE.
c) To monitor and influence applications processed by
the Environmental Risk Management Authority.
Potential External Partners
Ministry for the Environment
Wai 262 Claimants
Environmental Risk Management Authority
8. NGÄ NEKENEKEHANGA
8.1 SUMMARY
Actions are targeted towards improving processes,
services and capacity building opportunities to Hauraki
Whänui to strengthen their ability to make informed
decisions about the management, protection and
restoration of the environment, resources and heritage
of the Hauraki tribal region. They are also designed to
assist Hauraki Whänui in carrying out the aims of Part 3
of the Plan.
8.2 ESTABLISHING AN ENVIRONMENTAL
RESOURCE CENTRE
Scope
A proposal to establish a comprehensive environmen-
tal support service for Hauraki Whänui which would be
primarily dedicated to establishing and implementing
environmental capacity building initiatives for Hauraki
Whänui and to assist them to engage in ongoing man-
agement and protection of their lands, heritage and
resources. It should be a service that is designed to
compliment the environmental values, activities and
requirements of Hauraki Whänui. Services and activi-
ties could include:
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan44
Farm effluent being sprayed on to land.
Hauraki Whenua Whai Taonga

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 45
Environmental Education and Training
Professional Advisory Services, secondments
and Clinics
Research and Policy Development
Environmental Advancement
Communications
Information & Monitoring
Environmental Information Management
Software
Resource Library
Kaitiaki Space
Hui Facilities
Receiving inquiries and making referrals
Processing Environmental Legal Assistance Aid
Disputes Resolution
Environmental Planning and Assessment.
Actions
a) Identify funding sources and review funding
criteria to establish an environmental resource
centre.
b) If feasible, apply for funding to establish an
environmental resource centre.
c) Seek letters of support from Hauraki Whänui,
external agencies, groups and local communities
for the establishment of an environmental
resource centre.
Potential External Partners
Ministry for the Environment
Regional and District Councils
Department of Conservation
Ministry of Fisheries
Community Resource Centre Network
Local communities
8.3 PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL
ACCOUNTABILITY
Scope
Environmental responsibility is a part of good corporate
governance practice. These actions propose to investi-
gate and if feasible adopt a culturally appropriate envi-
ronmental reporting approach.
Actions
a) Explore the potential to work with others to
develop or pilot a culturally appropriate
environmental reporting model for use by tribal
organisations in the Hauraki tribal region.
b) To encourage and promote external organisations
and groups to improve environmental
accountability.
Potential External Partners
Landcare 
Regional and district councils
8.4 IMPROVING COMMUNICATION
Scope
These actions are simply ways, over and above what
already exists, in which Hauraki Whänui can improve
communications between each other over environmental
and heritage issues.
Actions
a) Develop a newsletter or editorial dedicated to
environmental issues in the Hauraki tribal region.
This could include a “Kaitiaki Calendar” of current
environmental events, activities and important
dates.
b) Investigate and if feasible host a programme on
Ngä Iwi FM to encourage körero amongst Hauraki
Whänui on environmental issues.
c) Establish and support quarterly Hui Whänui and
regular fora dedicated to körero on environmental
kaupapa.
d) Investigate and if feasible develop a web-site for
Hauraki Whänui including kaitiaki practitioners.
Hauraki Whenua Whai Taonga
This notice was placed on the beach end of Winiata
Place, Wharekaho, at the insistence of Ngati Hei.

Potential External Partners
Regional and district Councils
Te Puni Kökiri
Department of Conservation
Ministry of Fisheries
8.5 SECTION 33 OF THE RMA CASE STUDY
Scope
To develop and trial a pilot study for the transfer of func-
tions and powers under section 33 of the RMA. This pilot
study could potentially cover:
The management, development and monitoring
of marine farms
Environmental Monitoring functions
Papakäinga lands
Marae
Mahinga Kai and Mahinga Mätaitai
Wähi Tapu and cultural heritage sites
Actions
a) Work in partnership with the relevant regional
and/or district councils in the development of the
section 33 project proposal.
b) Identify statutory requirements under the
Resource Management Act 1991 to process a
section 33 application.
c) Select a site, area or environmental function that a
section 33 transfer is sought.
Potential External Partners
Relevant regional or district councils
8.6 PREPARING IWI PLANNING
DOCUMENTS
Scope
This proposal seeks to develop a marae, runanga and/or
field based “hands on” programme to assist Hauraki
Whänui in the training and development of Iwi
Management Plans and to improve their skills in statutory
environmental processes generally. Hauraki Whänui
would determine recruitment criteria.
Actions
a) Run a series of marae, runanga and/or field based
workshops targeted at Hauraki Iwi resource
management practitioners to provide training in
the development of Iwi Management Plans.
b) Planning materials shall be complimented and
enhanced by kaumätua and kuia involvement and
by the use of real life applications, practical case
studies and exercises and where appropriate,
guest facilitators for specialist workshop topics.
c) In the case of group workshops and training,
participants will be required to report back, consult
and seek direction from the Iwi, hapü or whänau
organisations that selected and/or supported their
placement.
d) In the case of group workshops and training, there
shall be a maximum of 15 participants to be made
up of Iwi practitioners and hapü or whänau
members having current and potential involvement
in resource management. A panel could be
appointed to confirm participants in accordance
with agreed criteria.
e) There shall be ongoing evaluation of the training
programme through participant feedback given
throughout the duration of the programme.
f) The project will acknowledge that opportunities for
participants to access professional advice and
support in the plan preparation process outside
workshop sessions is necessary. Regular group
meetings and specialist clinics for that specific
support purpose.
Potential External Partners
Ministry for the Environment
Department of Conservation
Ministry of Fisheries
New Zealand Qualifications Authority
Regional and district councils
Te Wänanga o Aotearoa
Mainstream tertiary institutions
NIWA
Landcare
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan46
Kotuiti te waka taua.
Hauraki Whenua Whai Taonga

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 47
8.7 BUILDING TREATY BASED
RELATIONSHIPS
Scope
These actions target methods to maintain, improve and
develop relationships with external partners such as
regional and district councils, government departments,
research institutions and non-government groups in
order to achieve the aims of Part 3 of the plan.
Actions
a) Develop, maintain and enhance relationship
agreements with external agencies and encouraging
partnerships where shared goals exist.
Potential External Partners
Regional and district Councils
Department of Conservation
Hauraki Gulf Forum
NIWA l Landcare
Local communities
Research institutions
8.8 PROTECTING TRADITIONAL
KNOWLEDGE
Scope
These actions acknowledge the value of traditional
knowledge and the importance of using and preserving
that knowledge in a wise way and protecting it and the
people it belongs to.
Actions
a) Information protocols developed and consented to
prior to embarking on any joint project between
Hauraki Whänui or with external agencies.
b) To develop regional strategies for the long term
protection of traditional knowledge and its
ownership, protection and use.
c) To hold regular marae and field based wänanga to
transfer skills and knowledge on to the next
generation.
Potential External Partners
Funding agencies
8.9 ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Scope
These actions propose to design an environmental infor-
mation management system or systems that lets Hauraki
Whänui store and track information as a way to monitor
their environment and heritage and assist in making
decisions about it. The system design will need to accom-
modate both traditional; local based knowledge of
Hauraki Whänui with information from western scientific
approaches. A system that enables Hauraki Whänui to
establish their own comprehensive environmental inven-
tories provides the basis for improved decision making,
environmental assessment and land use planning.
By combining information, a more comprehensive picture
of an ecosystem’s condition can be prepared and evi-
dence of changes documented. It will increase the capac-
ity of Hauraki Whänui to make informed decisions and
allow them to be more equipped to address the changes
that their communities face.
Actions
a) Identify training and development, environmental
information and information technology needs of
Hauraki Whänui.
Hauraki Whenua Whai Taonga
View of opposite point from Wharekaho.
A source of air pollution..

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan48
b) Review current environmental information systems
software held by Hauraki Whänui in terms of its
accessibility and relevance to the environmental
decision making and information protection
responsibilities of Hauraki Whänui.
c) Work with the Auckland Regional Council, Waikato
Regional Council, Department of Conservation,
NIWA and Landcare to identify environmental
information of relevance to Hauraki Whänui. Such
information could include:
The location and health of remaining wetlands,
peat lands, coastal dune lands, forest lands
Areas of native forest or regenerating native
bush
State of river and stream riparian margins
Land uses
The location of industries, closed landfills and
contaminated sites
The location of contaminant discharge points in
rivers and streams.
Regional growth strategies
Publicly recorded Wähi Tapu and cultural
heritage sites
Potential External Partners
Regional and district councils
Department of Conservation
New Zealand Historic Places Trust
NIWA
Landcare
8.10 AUDITING RMA POLICY 
STATEMENTS & PLANS
Scope
Audit and make findings accessible on the extent to
which RMA policy statements and plans in the Hauraki
tribal region make provision for the interests of Hauraki
Whänui.
Actions
a) Assess whether the policy statements and plans of
regional and district councils in the Hauraki tribal
region have taken into account Iwi planning
documents prepared by Hauraki Whänui.
b) Develop and disseminate report findings to
Hauraki Whänui.
Potential External Partners
Regional and district councils
Ministry for the Environment
8.11 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 
INFORMATION GUIDELINES
Scope
The production of a series of information sheets for
resource users, managers, resource consent applications
and resource managers to guide their interactions with
kaitiaki and increase awareness.
Actions
a) Identify Hauraki Whänui who are interested in
participating in the development of an information
package.
b) Develop information guidelines as a joint project
between Hauraki Whänui.
Potential External Partners
Regional and district councils
Ministry for the Environment
Department of Conservation
Hauraki Whenua Whai Taonga
Square kauri, Tapu Road.

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 49
Hauraki Whenua Whai Taonga
1. INTRODUCTION
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki has a 50-year planning
horizon and will be regularly reviewed to keep it relevant
to changing circumstances. This should be done in annual
and ten yearly reviews. The plan must also have a sound
set of criteria to evaluate successes and failures and it’s
ongoing relevance.
2. TEN YEAR REVIEW
The Hui Whänui in the tenth year would have the task of
reviewing plan objectives and outcomes for the preced-
ing 10-year period.
3. ANNUAL REVIEW
Through Part 5 of the plan emphasis has been on taking
small steps to progress towards longer-term goals. This
annual review process provides an opportunity to decide
how well projects are achieving their objectives, to deter-
mine whether any changes are necessary for the follow-
ing years work, what joint opportunities might exist and
to decide any changes to the plan resulting from the past
years work. The annual Hui Whänui will be called to
gauge concerns and recommendations as part of the
annual review process.
As many of the projects will require non-tribal funding
sources the annual review must take into account annual
planning cycles of funding agencies if funding is to be
secured and co-ordinated.
4. EVALUATION CRITERIA
Evaluation criteria used to determine the effectiveness of
Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki will be based on the cen-
tral goals and principles contained in Part 2 of the plan.
In addition to this, Part 3,4 and 5 would be evaluated in
terms of the extent to which:
Strategies are being achieved by Hauraki
Whänui;
Specific outcomes have been met by Hauraki
Whänui;
Sufficient resources and support have been
available to Hauraki Whänui to achieve the
outcomes.
Joint environmental initiatives between Hauraki
Whänui and with central and local government,
other agencies and local communities are
developed and implemented.
“This needs to be a living document. Part of it being alive 
is that it needs to be worked on all the time.”
Manaia Hui, November 2001.
Section 6: Te Ao Hurihuri
Artwork by Luke McGrath.

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan50
Aotearoa ..............................................New Zealand
Atua ..........................God, superhuman, supernatural
Hapü............................................sub tribe, pregnant
Harakeke ................................flax; Phormium tenax
Hauraki ............................................the North wind
Inanga ......................................................whitebait
Iwi ..................................................................tribe
Kaeo ............................................fresh water mussel
Kahikatea..................a tree; Dacrycarpus dacrydiodes
(White Pine)
Kai ........................................................food, to eat
kaimoana ..seafood includes shellfish, seaweed and fish
Käinga......................................residence, settlement
Kaitiaki ......................................guardian, custodian
Kaitiakitanga ............ethic of guardianship by kaitiaki
Karaka ......................a tree; corynocarpus laevigatus
Kaumätua ......................................................elders
Kaunihera ....................................................council
Kaupapa ..................................subject, topic, reason
Këwai ........................................fresh water crayfish
Kina ............................................................sea egg
Kiore..........................................................Mäori rat
Kokopu ..............native brown trout, type of whitebait
Körero ........................................talk, speak, discuss
Kotahi..........................................unity, togetherness
Kuia ..................................................elderly woman
Kükupa ..............................New Zealand Wood Pigeon
Mahinga Kai ........cultivation, plantation, place for food
Mahinga Mätaitai ..........traditional kaimoana grounds
Mana ..................................power, prestige, authority 
Manaaki ......................................................care for
Marae ................................ancestral meeting ground
Mätai ..............................a tree; podocarpus spicatus
Mätaitai ......................................................shellfish
Mätauranga ............................................knowledge
Matua ............................................................father
Mauri ....................................life energy, life essence
Miro ..........................a tree; podocarpus ferrugineous
Moana ..............................................................sea
Mokopuna ............................grandchild, descendants
Ngahere ........................................................forest
Pä Käinga ....................traditional fortified settlement
Papatüanuku ........................................Earth Mother
Päua............................................................Abalone
Pïngao ..........................flax; Desmoschoenus spiralis
Rangatahi ......................................................Youth
Ranginui..................................................Sky Father
Rohe ........................................................tribal area
Rongoa ......................................................medicine
Rongomatane ..............God of Cultivations and Peace
Ruaumoko ..................................God of Earthquakes 
Runanga ..............................................tribal council 
Täne Mahuta God of Forests and father to humankind
Tangaroa ................................................God of Sea
Tängata Whenua ........................People of the land
Taonga ............................treasure, prized possession 
(tangible & intangible)
Tipuna/tupuna ..........................................ancestor
Türangawaewae ................................place to stand
Rahui ......................................................prohibition
Raranga ......................................................weaving
Tawhirimätea ..............God of Winds and Atmosphere 
Tikanga ................correct procedure, custom, method, 
plan, practice
Tohu ................................................................sign
Tuna ..................................................................eel
Urupä ..................................burial ground, cemetery
Wähi Tapu ............................................sacred place
Wai Maori ................................................freshwater
Wai Tai ....................................................sea water
Wairua ............................................................spirit 
Waka..............................................................canoe
Wänanga ............................................course, school
Wätakirihi ..............................................watercress 
Whaea ..........................................................mother 
Whänau ........................................................family
Whanaunga..................................................relation 
Whänui ..................................................tribal family
Whare ............................................................house
Whenua ..............................................land, placenta
NGÄ KUPU MAORI
Glossary of Mäori terms

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 51
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Regional Council
Auckland Regional Growth Forum.,1999. A Vision for
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Regional Growth Strategy 2050. Auckland: Auckland
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Department of Conservation. 2001. Nga Akiakitanga
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Department of Conservation, Ministry for the
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Environment Waikato, Farm Environment Award Trust.
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Environment Waikato., Waikato Peat Management
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Environment Waikato. 1998. Waikato State of the
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Environment Waikato. 2001. Working Together. The
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Furey, L. 1997. Archaeology in the Hauraki Region A
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Artwork by Rangikohu Baker.
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Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan52
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Long Bay, Coromandel.
Looking out over to Matakana Island.

Whaia Te Mahere Taiao a Hauraki
Hauraki Iwi Environmental Plan 53
Whakamöhiotanga
Artwork by Hamiora Clapham.
Maunga Te Aroha looking east.