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Historic Ōwae Marae meeting opens new chapter in NPDC-iwi relations

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PUBLISHED: 2 AUG 2023
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New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) entered a new era with North Taranaki Iwi on Tuesday when they held their first-ever council meeting at Ōwae Marae.​

 

Ōwae is Te Āti Awa central marae – standing within the earthworks of the ancient pā, Manukorihi at Waitara.

 

This Marae acknowledges the deep relationship between the Iwi of the Tokomaru waka of Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Maru and Te Ati Awa, collectively known as Te Āti Awa -nui-tonu. ​

 

New Plymouth District Mayor Neil Holdom, Councillors and staff were welcomed on to the marae, before entering the Te Ikaroa-a-Māui wharenui (meeting house) where the council meeting was held and the new revamped wharekai of Ko Tamawahine.​

 

Among key decisions made by the Mayor and Councillors at the Council meeting were: ​

 

NPDC backs start date for new water entity​


A recommendation that the Taranaki Water Services Entity be established on 1 April 2025 was endorsed.

 

The preferred start date proposed by Taranaki’s Council and Iwi Leadership group is included in a Taranaki Position Statement and is aimed at providing some certainty to the community and affected staff. ​

 

The Government has confirmed that some entities may be established from 1 July 2024, but a staggered approach will still be taken.​

 

Taranaki’s position statement is still to be endorsed by Stratford and South Taranaki district councils, as well as the Taranaki Mayoral Forum and Iwi before it is submitted to the Department of Internal Affairs this month and it is hoped a decision on implementation dates will be announced in December.  ​

 

Draft Waste Management Minimisation Plan​

 

A range of proposals to help NPDC to achieve its vision of no waste from local residents and businesses going to landfill included in the draft Waste Management Minimisation Plan (WMMP) approved for public consultation. ​

 

The draft plan includes proposed services to help reduce waste to landfill and to encourage people to reuse and recycle. ​

 

The WMMP is a regional plan developed with local Iwi, Stratford, South Taranaki and Taranaki regional councils, although NPDC is consulting on the proposals specific to our district.  ​

 

Consultation opens 2 August and closes 12 September. Find out more on Draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (npdc.govt.nz) ​

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Page last updated: 03:23pm Wed 02 August 2023

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