Mana whenua have a cultural and spiritual relationship with the land, water and resources.

Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku

As mana whenua, Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku have a cultural and spiritual relationship with the land, water and resources of the Southland District. Culturally significant areas such as mahinga kai sites, nohoanga, wāhi tapu and wāhi taonga, remain culturally and spiritually important and are a critical component of Ngāi Tahu identity. Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku as kaitiaki ensure the mauri of te taiao is maintained and enhanced for future generations.

The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) requires us to take into account the principles of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) and recognises the relationship of Māori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral lands, water, sites, wāhi tapu, and other taonga, and the protection of protected customary rights, as matters of national importance. The RMA also requires us to have particular regard to kaitiakitanga.

Sometimes you may be required to engage with iwi and obtain written approval when we identify them as an affected party. In Southland, consultation and involvement in resource consents is facilitated through Te Ao Mārama Incorporated (TAMI). TAMI represents Ngā Rūnanga ki Murihiku for resource management and local government issues. TAMI is made up of representatives from the four Murihiku Rūnanga Papatipu – Awarua, Hokonui, Oraka Aparima and Waihōpai.

Engagement is most effective if done early in the process, ideally before you have lodged your application with the Council. Engagement allows applicants and us to be informed about iwi views. All costs associated with engagement must be met by the applicant.

Te Ao Mārama Incorporated office@tami.maori.nz  03 931 1242

Te Tangi a Tauira is the Iwi Management Plan, developed by Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku.

Te Tangi a Tauira The Cry of the People

It is an expression of kaitiakitanga and details mana whenua values, knowledge and perspectives on resource management and broader environmental issues. It identifies Ngāi Tahu ki Murihuku primary issues, policies and management guidelines for resource management, wāhi tapu and wāhi taonga. Te Tangi a Tauira also lists sites and areas of significance to tangata whenua. Te Tangi a Tauira is one source of information to assist us in providing for the interests of Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku in resource management as well as informing the assessment of resource consent applications.

There are a number of issues you should consider when preparing your resource consent application, including:

Water and water-related activities:

  • Mauri (life-sustaining capacity)
  • Quality and flow
  • Habitat (for example, shellfish beds)
  • Wāhi tapu (sacred places) such as Tauranga Waka (canoe landing areas)
  • Kohanga (breeding areas)
  • Mahinga kai (traditional food-gathering areas), including access
  • Disturbance of beds
  • Discharge into water (noting this relates to Environment Southland)
  • Intensity of water activity

Land activities:

  • Mahinga kai, including access
  • Habitat (both flora and fauna)
  • Mauri
  • Riparian margins within 20m of water
  • Significant natural features (for example, monuments or spiritual sites)
  • Wāhi tapu (such as burial or battle sites)
  • Wāhi taonga (special places such as village or pa sites)
  • Nohoanga – there is potential activities impact the ability of mana whenua to interact with the site as it was intended.
  • Infrastructure (including wastewater, water, electricity, roading, stormwater)
  • Land use intensification (development that results in an increase in use of natural resources, where infrastructure is required, or subdivision occurs)
  • Kaitiakitanga

Other relevant activities:

  • Discharges and abstractions
  • High altitude burning
  • Construction of dams or culverts
  • Coastal space occupation
  • Land disturbance for forestry
  • Activities within ‘Statutory Acknowledgement’ areas

Te Ao Mārama Incorporated

98 Yarrow Street, Invercargill, 9810

phone (03) 9311242

office@tami.maori.nz