Otago Regional Council has effective and meaningful partnerships with mana whenua, creating better outcomes for our region.

An effective partnership is a relationship grounded in mutual benefit, trust, and shared responsibility. A meaningful partner relationship goes beyond consultation to looking out for each other’s interests, solving problems together, being reasonable and constructive, and recognising the distinct roles, strengths, knowledge, aspirations, and responsibilities each party brings.

ORC’s role includes working in genuine partnership with mana whenua and enabling meaningful Māori participation in democratic decision-making and environmental management. This is grounded in supporting the intent of the Crown to uphold the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) as recognised in local government and Treaty settlement legislation.

This also requires having particular regard to kaitiakitanga (guardianship), actively providing the opportunity for tangata whenua to exercise their kaitiaki responsibilities to protect the wellbeing and mauri (life force) of Otago’s environment, and to maintain the deep ancestral relationships they hold with place in the ways they wish to do so.

Mana whenua means customary authority exercised by an iwi or hapū in an identified area. Tangata whenua refers to the group of people with ancestral and cultural connections to a particular area, specifically the iwi or hapū that hold mana whenua in that region. Kaitiakitanga means the exercise of guardianship by tangata whenua in accordance with tikanga Māori in relation to natural and physical resources, and includes the ethic of stewardship.

In practice, this means early and ongoing involvement of mana whenua, bringing their interests, perspectives, and mātauraka (knowledge) into decision-making and work programmes, and ensuring the relationship remains effective, meaningful, and enduring.

Relevance

For ORC, strengthening and deepening our partnership with mana whenua is key to achieving our strategic priorities and effectively performing our role. This means continuing our journey to work more closely and effectively with mana whenua across all that we do.

This includes drawing on mātauraka Māori, taking a multigenerational and holistic systems view, and working together to deliver positive outcomes for Otago’s environment and communities. Effective partnership enables us to address complex challenges, share the load, access cultural and technical expertise, and implement coordinated approaches to governance, decision-making, and work plans.

How is it measured

Te Tiriti Audit Report, prepared for ORC by Te Kura Taka Pini Ltd, June 2024.

Current situation

Summary

In June 2024, the relationship between the Council and mana whenua was found to be robust and constructive. A review would need to be undertaken to understand if this has changed since then.

Supporting information

ORC commissioned Te Kura Taka Pini to assess progress on its commitment to partner with mana whenua, including progress towards the community outcome that ORC has effective and meaningful partnerships with mana whenua, creating better outcomes for the region.

The assessment examined how the relationship works in practice, drawing on interviews across both mana whenua and Council. This included consideration of the Mana-to-Mana relationship between Councillors and mana whenua, relationships between ORC staff and mana whenua, and the arrangements, processes, and capability in place to support the partnership.

These insights provided an indication of how effective and meaningful the relationship is, and where ORC sits on its partnership journey.

Overall, the relationship between the Council and mana whenua was found to be robust and constructive. The Council was recognised as showing a strong willingness to partner with mana whenua and as continually taking action aimed at strengthening the relationship.

ORC was also found to recognise mana whenua as Te Tiriti partners in the region, rather than simply stakeholders, and to repeat its commitments to go beyond legislative obligations and more effectively involve Māori in decision-making.

What explains the current relationship?

The audit found that the partnership is effective and constructive due to several reinforcing mechanisms:

• Clear commitments embedded across ORC’s formal documents. The Long Term Plan, Regional Policy Statement, operational policies, relationship charters, MOUs, and public-facing information consistently recognise mana whenua as Te Tiriti partners and articulate intentions to go beyond minimum legislative requirements.
• A shared commitment to partnering. Both ORC and mana whenua expressed a strong willingness to work together, reflected in open dialogue, constructive problem-solving, and a shared focus on outcomes for Otago.
• The Mana-to-Mana governance relationship. This provides structure, continuity, and a clear channel for leadership-level engagement, supporting mutual understanding, alignment of priorities, and joint work programmes where appropriate.
• The role of Papatipu Rūnaka regional environmental entities. Aukaha and Te Ao Mārama provide a consistent and skilled interface between mana whenua and the Council, helping translate aspirations into practical action and ensuring decisions are well informed.
• Positive day-to-day interactions. Staff relationships are often strong and collaborative, supported by individual commitment, goodwill, and a growing appreciation of mātauraka Māori and tikanga.

Together, these mechanisms form the basis of a robust, respectful, and constructive relationship and explain the overall finding that ORC and mana whenua are working together in ways that are effective, meaningful, and evolving.