Please note that this information was provided for the 2022 Local Government Elections and may now be out of date.

One in five of our residents identifies as iwi/Māori. There are twelve iwi within our rohe / District. The principle of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / Treaty of Waitangi is one of partnership between the Crown (and its representative) and Māori. Iwi organisations are maturing and transitioning from survival and grievance to abundance, guarding and protecting to investing and growth. Depending on what stage Iwi are in their development speaks to their resources and capacity to contribute meaningfully to on-going demands. There is an increasing expectation for councils to partner with the local iwi of its district, working together to support and promote community wellbeing – environmentally, socially, culturally and economically. Partnering with local iwi will benefit all of our communities through:

• a greater understanding of one another’s expectations and aspirations
• increased opportunities to establish shared projects and joint ventures
• improved processes based on an understanding of one another’s priorities, expectations, and available resources
• more efficient and effective use of council and Māori resources supporting Māori expectations and aspirations in order to promote the well-being of Māori and the wider community

• Kaitakawaenga Māori Iwi liaison advisor

The Kaitakawaenga Māori Iwi Liaison Advisor is responsible for providing advice and support to elected members, the executive leadership team, and council officers to facilitate partnerships with Mana Whenua, and engagement with Iwi and Māori to deliver council services and activities. 

• Te Manawhenua Forum 

In recognition of Council’s commitment to fulfil its obligations under the LGA, and following discussions with the District’s iwi/hapu during 2003-04, Te Manawhenua Forum mo Matamata-Piako was established as a Standing Committee of Council 8 July 2004. The Forum held its first formal meeting on 24 September 2004. Following each triennial election since that time, Council has re-established the Forum as a Standing Committee of Council, recognising the important contribution of the Forum to Council and the value of Council’s relationship with the Forum.

• Organisational cultural capability and capacity - As an organisation we recognise that we need to improve our cultural capability and capacity to better support both elected members, iwi and our wider community. We are developing a Learning and Development Framework for all staff to build their understanding of te ao Māori (Māori world view), te reo Māori (Māori language) and tikanga (customs and traditions). We are also including key aspects of te ao Māori and tikanga into our induction programme for the incoming council. As we continue our journey together, we aim to continuously improve and enhance our cultural capability and capacity as an organisation.
• Iwi capacity – our local iwi have limited resources available, and are required to engage with multiple agencies including central, regional and local government. Traditionally local (and central) government has operated in a Western inspired beraucracy, with strict timeframes and requirement for written submissions. This can at times be a challenge for iwi, as their way of discussion issues and make decisions is largely one of reaching consensus through korero (verbal discussion). This may require several hui to be held, over a longer period of time, which doesn't fit with the way local government operates. By engaging with iwi at the commencement of projects and policy reviews, we can seek their guidance with regards to how they wish to be engaged with and we can build this into our timeframes, ensuring local iwi has an opportunity to have meaningful involvement in the process and decision-making.

• Knowledge sharing – Iwi has extensive knowledge about the history of our district and its environment. By engaging with local iwi at the beginning of projects, and inviting them to share their knowledge, we can design our projects with respect and consideration of the history of the site and its environment. 
• Working together - the purpose of local government is to promote and support community wellbeing - environmental, economic, social and cultural. This aligns with the work of local iwi as well, who's priority is to develop and support its whanau wellbeing. Working together with likeminded people and organisations can have benefits that outperforms those achieved when working in silos (individually). By working with iwi, we can reach parts of our community who may not otherwise have engaged with council projects or processes., 

• What is Council’s role in fostering a positive partnership between the wider community and iwi?
• How can Council and iwi work together to achieve improved wellbeing outcomes for all whanau?
• How can Council support iwi to enable active participation and contribution by iwi to the council processes?