Te Mana o te Awa

Te Mana o te Awa seeks respect for:

- Te Awa Tupuna (ancestral river)

- Whakapapa (genealogy) and unity of the river tribes

- The unique relationship of the people with the river

- Responsibilities of Waikato-Tainui and other river tribes to protect the mana of the river

The river is a tupuna (ancestor) of Waikato-Tainui which has mana which in turn represents the mana (spiritual authority/protective power/prestige) and mauri (life force), of the tribe. The river is a single indivisible entity.

Ko Taupiri te maunga - Taupiri is the mountain

Ko Waikato te awa - Waikato is the river

Ko Te Wherowhero te tangata - Te Wherowhero is the chief

Waikato Taniwharau - Waikato of a hundred chiefs

He piko, he taniwha - At every bend a chief

He piko, he taniwha - At every bend a chief

This whakatauki indicates the strength of the many commmunities which lived along the banks of the river prior to Raupatu, each exercising the reponsibilities of mana whakahaere in accordance with their tikanga (tribal rules/custom).

As the ancestor of Waikato-Tainui, the Waikato River has its own mana. The river protects the people, but it is also the reponsibility of the people to protect the river, and its wairua (spirit). In the words of the late Pumi Taituha..."if ngaa wairua of the river are violated, the river suffers, becomes sick and if ignored, will die".

To achieve recognition of the principle of Te Mana o te Awa, Waikato-Tainui promotes the concept of a korowai, a protective cloak laid over te awa tupuna, to respect and care for the river. The plaited fibres of the korowai reflect the strands in the whakapapa which unite the iwi with their river, and with one another.

For all New Zealanders, the korowai allows the continuation of public access, navigation, recreation and fishing, provided there is mutual respect for this concept. The korowai will ensure that the responsibilities, obligations and preservation of a whole and healthy Waikato River, are carried by all.

Mana Whakahaere

Mana Whakahaere refers to the authority that Waikato-Tainui and other river tribes have established in respect of the river, over many generations.

Mana Whakahaere entails the exercise of rights and responsibilities to ensure that the balance and mauri (life force) of the river are maintained. It is based in recognition that if we care for the river, the river will contine to sustain the people. In customary terms, it is the exercise of control, access to, and management of the river, including its resources in accordance with tikanga (values, ethics governing conduct), by each of the communities along the river.

For Waikato-Tainui or Waikato-Tainui iwi, Mana Whakahaere has long been exercised under the mana of the Kiingitanga.

Waikato-Tainui and the Crown intend to achieve co-management of the Waikato River at the highest level, through the development of a guardians model. This is one mechanism to enable Waikato-Tainui to exercise Mana Whakahaere in a practical and meaningful way.