The Turangi-Tongariro Community Board’s core role is to represent, and act as an advocate for, the interests of the Turangi-Tongariro community. It also reviews and provides advice on proposals that affect the area, and makes decisions on local matters. We think retaining the ability for the local community to provide input on local issues is really important and think the proposed changes will result in more effective representation.
We want to work in closer partnership with our Treaty partners Ngāti Tūrangitukua, the mana whenua (the iwi that holds authority) of the Tūrangitukua rohe (area) which includes the Turangi township and its surrounds. Ngāti Tūrangitukua has a special relationship with the whenua (land) and people located within its rohe which is reflected through their role as kaitiaki (guardians) and landowners of most reserves located within its rohe
Historically, Ngāti Tūrangitukua land was acquired for the purposes of constructing the Tūrangi township. This was not agreed to by Ngāti Tūrangitukua and was held to be a breach of the Treaty of Waitangi by the Waitangi Tribunal. The Ngāti Tūrangitukua Settlement Act 1999 saw the return of some of this land and as a result of Ngāti Tūrangitukua’s generosity, a vast majority of their land including public recreational reserves located in Turangi remain accessible for the wider community and visitors alike to enjoy.
To support the partnership aspirations of both Council and Ngāti Tūrangitukua, we are currently developing a Mana Whakahono partnership agreement which will cover a range of matters including opportunities for Ngāti Tūrangitukua to make certain decisions either jointly with Council or alone as landowners over what happens within their rohe. The Mana Whakahono will also see the establishment of a co-governance committee responsible for the implementation of the Mana Whakahono which will effectively fulfil the role that the current community board does within the Turangitukua rohe.
As a result, we are proposing to replace the community board with two Council Committees.
- A co-governance committee for Turangi township and its immediate surrounds, which will involve a partnership with Ngāti Tūrangitukua and therefore ensure their active involvement in making decisions on Council-related functions within its rohe. The co-governance committee will be established once the agreement has been signed. The Committee will be made up of an equal number of members to represent Ngāti Tūrangitukua and the Council. It is likely to include:
- The Mayor
- The local Councillor
- 1-2 Turangi locals appointed by Council
- 3-4 members appointed by Ngāti Tūrangitukua
- Once the Community Board is disestablished in October 2022, a representative group for the remainder of the Turangi-Tongariro Ward (known as the Tongariro part of the Ward) is planned to be established to cover the wider Tongariro ward including the areas listed below. It is likely to include the Mayor, the local councillor, appointed members from these local settlements, and iwi.
- Whareroa – Kuratau/Omori – Pukawa
- Waihi – Tokaanu, and the wider Tongariro / Rotoaira settlements
- Korohe - Motuoapa – Tauranga-Taupō - Hatepe
The main difference between the community board and the new bodies is that they will be committees of Council, meaning that their members are appointed by Council, rather than elected (voted-in by the public).
It makes sense to disestablish the Community Board through this representation review, because most of its current workload will soon be taken over by the co-governance committee and, in time, the representative group.
These proposed changes ensure that Turangi and the wider Tongariro area still have a strong voice at Council, and influence over local decisions on council services and enable Council to fulfil its aspiration of working in closer partnership with Treaty partners Ngāti Tūrangitukua.
