Supplied by Waikato Waters Ltd

Iwi representatives from Waikato Tainui, Ngāti Korokī Kahukura, Ngāti Hauā Raukawa, Maniapoto and Tūwharetoa hosted a Whakatau and Pōwhiri to officially and warmly welcome Board members and kaimahi of the Establishment Team for Waikato Waters Ltd.

John Bishara (Tūwharetoa) Iwi Chairs Forum member was one of the Iwi representatives, who noted the significance of this occasion, and acknowledged the steadfastness that Councils have shown on this journey.

Bishara said the councils’ collective commitment to partnership had been essential to delivering a new waters entity that will be able to deliver the expectations being placed on it.
“As we say, we have come too far to turn back. Together, we are setting an example — not only for other rohe, but for the world — as we make our wai our first priority."
Against the backdrop of the Waikato River, acknowledgements were made to Nga wai hono i te po - Te Arikinui Kuini Māori, as each of the speakers welcomed Waikato Waters and the new Board members.

Jaydene Kana (Waikato), on behalf of the three Establishment Board members, said it is a privilege to have been appointed to govern Waikato Waters Limited.

Kana noted that Waikato Waters Limited is nationally significant for two reasons:
- all the company’s water sources are subject to special Treaty settlement and co-management arrangements that have expectations of improved water management
- Waikato Waters Limited is the largest and most complex grouping of councils that has emerged under Local Water Done Well.

Kana acknowledged the Iwi partners for their part in this journey – “your voices, the voices of the taiao (environment), whenua (land) and wai (water) are essential to the success of Waikato Waters Limited for current and future generations – thank you all for sharing all these voices and for staying with us as we move ahead”.

To the shareholding councils Kana was direct. “You have made your expectations clear in the vision that you have given us: Te Mana o Te Wai, Te Mana o Te Tangata | Healthy water, Healthy people. Setting up a new entity that is going to transform water and wastewater services across the Waikato, will be no easy task but we are up for it”.

Mayor Susan O’Regan, speaking on behalf of the seven shareholding councils, reminded those gathered that this journey began in mid-2023 with a hui between the mayors and Iwi chairs.
O’Regan said this hui was a turning point – “an invitation to come together, to think differently and to lead the way in managing water in a way that respects both our people and our environment.”

The question posed at that time was: would we work together to craft a Waikato water solution that truly reflects our values, or would we continue reacting to changes imposed from the outside?

“Every Mayor responded with a clear and positive commitment,” O’Regan said.
She noted that since then much has been done and although it has not always easy, it has always been grounded in the spirit of partnership and respect.
“We knew this journey required more than goodwill; it required the mandate and trust of our communities, the backing of our councils and the courage to do things differently.
Today that courage and commitment are realised in the Establishment Board of Waikato Waters Ltd.”

Waikato Waters Ltd shareholding councils are: Waipā, Matamata-Piako, Hauraki, Ōtorohanga, Waitomo, South Waikato and Taupō.