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Last modified: 30 Nov 2022 5:26pm

Mayor Sam Broughton and Te Taumutu Rūnanga chair Liz Brown smiling behind a table with signed copies of the relationship agreement in front of them

Te Taumutu Rūnanga and Selwyn District Council have agreed a new era of partnership at a formal ceremony at Te Pā o Moki, Taumutu today (Wednesday 30 November 2022).

The Council and Rūnanga signed a relationship agreement [PDF, 219 KB] formalising their relationship and agreeing to work together on areas of mutual benefit for Waikirikiri Selwyn.

At the ceremony Te Taumutu Rūnanga Chair Liz Brown said the agreement builds on an already strong relationship between the Rūnanga and the Council, laying down a marker for future collaboration to benefit the whole district.

“This is a pou whenua that we are putting in place to mark the significance of Taumutu our rangatiratanga, our place as kaitiaki and our relationship with Selwyn District Council. While we have a good relationship, we need something formal that doesn’t rely on individuals. This sets that marker in the ground for us and future generations and gives us something to go forward with together.”

The agreement encourages continuing strong relationships, acknowledging the commitments of both parties to work together and to grow a new era of Local Government reflecting the role of mana whenua as a Treaty partner of the Crown.

It also acknowledges both parties’ roles and responsibilities and sets out structures for how both parties will come together to ensure an enduring and collaborative partnership. A partnership with a commitment to deliver the best possible environmental and community outcomes.

At the ceremony Mayor Sam Broughton said, “We have a long history of working together and the fruits of that partnership are evident in so much of what is great about our district, the most recent examples of this being Te Ara Ātea and Kakaha Park; two facilities embraced by our community. It’s fantastic that we are now formally recognising our relationship and I’m looking forward to the new opportunities our agreement brings for the wellbeing of our communities, our environment and for our continued prosperity.”

Te Taumutu Rūnanga is already successfully involved in joint decision-making processes with the Council through the Canterbury Water Management Strategy, the District Plan review, and facility development. This agreement will facilitate exploration of further ways to enhance great outcomes for the Waikirikiri Selwyn community.

The agreement  [PDF, 219 KB]is another milestone on the relationship journey between the Council mana whenua and tangata whenua for Waikirikiri/Selwyn.