Reframing the relationship between people, nature and authority: The Te Awa Tupua Act 2017

Abstract

Situated in the North Island of Aotearoa, originating in the slopes of Mount Tongariro and ending in the Tasman Sea, flows New Zealand’s longest navigable river - the Whanganui River (NZ Government, 2020) (Fig. 1). Not only is the Whanganui River valued for its great length, but it is also held in high esteem by the Whanganui Iwi for its mana1, its previous sizeable bankside population of more than 100 pā sites, genealogical and spiritual ties, and treasured for the resources it gives (Waitangi Tribunal Report, 1999). The cultural significance of the river led to the eventual signing of Ruruku Whakatupua, the Whanganui River Deed of Settlement at Rānana in 2014 between Whanganui Iwi and the Crown2 (Raumati, 2016). This Deed of Settlement gave rise to the enactment of the Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River Claims Settlement) Bill 2017, which conferred legal recognition of the Whanganui River as a person (NZ Government, 2020).