Please note our Whitianga office will be closed to the public on Tuesday, 16 September and Wednesday, 17 September 2025. You can still contact our staff on freephone 0800 800 401 or via an online form.

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Waikato Regional Council is charting a pioneering course towards the principles of partnership and collaboration in decision making with their Treaty partners. This innovative approach requires both the council and iwi to agree on their partnering destinations and shared points of convergence along the way. 

The collective strength of all will enhance relationship agreements moving forward and strengthen on-going engagement with iwi within and outside of Treaty Settlement arrangements.

Read our strategic direction here

Tai-ranga-whenua

Tai-ranga-whenua is the name of Waikato Regional Council's iwi relationships team, who are dedicated to maintaining and strengthening a shared relationship with Waikato iwi.

A Māori Perspective - Te Ao Māori

Find out more about Māori use and perspectives on management of the Waikato region's resources.

Iwi in our region

The principal iwi groups in our region are Waikato, Maniapoto, Raukawa, Hauraki, Te Arawa and Tūwharetoa. Learn more about iwi groups, where they are located and how to contact them.

Legislative obligations to Māori

See the legal framework for obligations to Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi.

Annotations on the Treaty of Waitangi

In late 2022, councillors requested an annotated bibliography on the Treaty of Waitangi as a development resource. We are pleased to present 21 meticulously crafted annotations, thanks to the work of two Tai-ranga-whenua intern students.

Treaty of Waitangi

Find out more about the Treaty of Waitangi.

Iwi management plans

Take a look at the iwi management plans in the Waikato region.

Council representatives

The people of the Waikato region are represented by 14 elected council members. The council is made up of two Māori seats and 12 general seats, and has a chair and deputy chair who are appointed by the council when they take office.

Waikato River and Waipā River co-management

Co-management provides iwi with mechanisms to manage the river in partnership with central and local government.

Taupō catchment co-management

Co-management provides Tūwharetoa with mechanisms to manage the Taupō catchment in partnership with regional and district councils.

Interactive map of Waikato iwi groups

Take a look at our dynamic map of iwi acknowledgement areas in the Waikato region.

Kawe Kōrero

Feel out of your depth with Māori language and protocol? No need to freak out - we can get you started! The Kawe Kōrero app helps improve your own te reo and protocol knowledge base.