Mana Whakahono signing signals new dawn

Darren Petry from Taupō District Council

Taupō District Council and Ngāti Turangitukua are moving forward together into a new future for the Tūrangi township and its surrounds after signing a historic Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreement on Saturday afternoon.

Ngāti Tūrangitukua is the Ngāti Tūwharetoa hapū that holds mana whenua over Tūrangi township and its surrounds and includes its post-settlement entity, the Ngāti Turangitukua Charitable Trust. The hapū is a major landowner in Tūrangi and much of the town’s community amenities and three waters infrastructure is located on reserves they own.

The signing was held at a formal powhiri hosted by Ngāti Turangitukua at Hirangi Marae in Tūrangi, attended by Ngāti Turangitukua hapū, Taupō District Council elected members and staff, Tūrangi-Tongariro Community Board members and Ngāti Tūwharetoa Ariki Tā Tumu Te Heuheu.

Both parties thanked the other for having the patience and fortitude to work through the three years of negotiations that preceded the Mana Whakahono agreement and looked towards the future.