Te Tohu Waka Hourua - The Buddle Findlay Award for Excellence in Māori – Council Partnerships
This category is sponsored by Buddle Findlay
This category celebrates meaningful and enduring partnerships with Māori, this category recognises initiatives that demonstrate a strong commitment to working together and applying Te Ao Māori and Te Tiriti principles. Entries may come from any area of council activity but should clearly show how partnerships have been built and sustained, and the outcomes achieved. A strong understanding of kaupapa Māori and shared decision-making will be key.
Cementing Effective Partnerships
Hastings District Council
Cyclone Gabrielle devastated Hawke’s Bay in 2023, destroying bridges, roads, and isolating communities. Hastings District Council led a major recovery programme, tackling extensive infrastructure damage at speed. Central to success was a partnership with mana whenua, embedding cultural and environmental values through a dedicated pou hononga team and the He Taura, He Hononga framework.
Watch entryCyclone Gabrielle devastated Hawke’s Bay in 2023, destroying bridges, roads, and isolating communities. Hastings District Council led a major recovery programme, tackling extensive infrastructure damage at speed. Central to success was a partnership with mana whenua, embedding cultural and environmental values through a dedicated pou hononga team and the He Taura, He Hononga framework.
Manaaki o Matakitaki-a-Kupe
South Wairarapa District Council
An unformed coastal road at Mātakitaki-a-Kupe (Cape Palliser) holds deep cultural and ecological significance for Ngāti Hinewaka, whose connection spans 900 years. Ongoing misuse by 4WDs damaged this sacred landscape, including burial sites. In response to hapū concerns, South Wairarapa District Council committed to addressing access and protecting the area in partnership.
Watch entryAn unformed coastal road at Mātakitaki-a-Kupe (Cape Palliser) holds deep cultural and ecological significance for Ngāti Hinewaka, whose connection spans 900 years. Ongoing misuse by 4WDs damaged this sacred landscape, including burial sites. In response to hapū concerns, South Wairarapa District Council committed to addressing access and protecting the area in partnership.
Navigating Together Te Tiriti Compass & Te Matapihi
Te Kaunihera o Te Tairāwhiti - Gisborne District Council
Te Tairāwhiti’s strong Māori identity and Treaty obligations shape Gisborne District Council’s approach to governance. To address historically inconsistent engagement, Council introduced Te Tiriti Compass and Te Matapihi—frameworks embedding Treaty principles into decision-making and ensuring meaningful tangata whenua participation across all council activities.
Watch entryTe Tairāwhiti’s strong Māori identity and Treaty obligations shape Gisborne District Council’s approach to governance. To address historically inconsistent engagement, Council introduced Te Tiriti Compass and Te Matapihi—frameworks embedding Treaty principles into decision-making and ensuring meaningful tangata whenua participation across all council activities.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Reserve Board (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei x Auckland Council)
Auckland Council
The Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Reserves Board is a co-governance partnership with Auckland Council, jointly managing reserve whenua. With equal representation, it enables shared decision-making, resourcing, and accountability. Through iwi-led delivery, the partnership supports ongoing restoration, including planting, pest control, and community engagement, guided by long-term planning frameworks.
Watch entryThe Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Reserves Board is a co-governance partnership with Auckland Council, jointly managing reserve whenua. With equal representation, it enables shared decision-making, resourcing, and accountability. Through iwi-led delivery, the partnership supports ongoing restoration, including planting, pest control, and community engagement, guided by long-term planning frameworks.
Restoring the mauri of marine protected areas: A Taitokerau partnership (Rāahui Tapu / marine protected areas)
Northland Regional Council
In 2023, Northland Regional Council established two Rāhui Tapu marine protected areas following an Environment Court decision. Using a tikanga-led, hapū-centric approach, NRC partnered with mana moana to co-design implementation. Hapū now lead monitoring and operations, with early results showing improved marine biodiversity, demonstrating effective, community-driven protection.
Watch entryIn 2023, Northland Regional Council established two Rāhui Tapu marine protected areas following an Environment Court decision. Using a tikanga-led, hapū-centric approach, NRC partnered with mana moana to co-design implementation. Hapū now lead monitoring and operations, with early results showing improved marine biodiversity, demonstrating effective, community-driven protection.
Tāmaki Ora – Embedding Māori Outcomes Through Partnership Systems
Auckland Council
Tāmaki Ora is Auckland Council Group’s integrated Māori Outcomes strategy, strengthening partnerships with iwi and improving outcomes for Māori. Developed in 2024–2025, it embeds Māori priorities into planning systems, introduces mandatory Achieving Māori Outcomes Plans, and responds to past gaps in engagement and delivery through a unified, partnership-led approach.
Watch entryTāmaki Ora is Auckland Council Group’s integrated Māori Outcomes strategy, strengthening partnerships with iwi and improving outcomes for Māori. Developed in 2024–2025, it embeds Māori priorities into planning systems, introduces mandatory Achieving Māori Outcomes Plans, and responds to past gaps in engagement and delivery through a unified, partnership-led approach.
Te ara haerenga o Nga iwi o te Tai Whakarunga Taranaki Te Kaunihera O Taranaki ki Te Tonga
South Taranaki District Council
South Taranaki District Council recognised weak iwi relationships and co-designed a partnership framework grounded in trust, tikanga, and transparency. Moving beyond traditional timelines, the process prioritised relationships and meaningful engagement. The result, He Pou Tikanga, reflects a balanced, enduring partnership approach between Council and iwi.
Watch entrySouth Taranaki District Council recognised weak iwi relationships and co-designed a partnership framework grounded in trust, tikanga, and transparency. Moving beyond traditional timelines, the process prioritised relationships and meaningful engagement. The result, He Pou Tikanga, reflects a balanced, enduring partnership approach between Council and iwi.
Te Aroha o te Hauangiangi
Hurunui District Council
Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura and Hurunui District Council have strengthened their partnership through key initiatives, including a significant land acquisition, establishment of a wharenui in Hanmer Springs, and development of a cultural storytelling experience. Alongside ongoing collaboration, these projects reflect a growing, future-focused relationship grounded in shared aspirations.
Watch entryTe Rūnanga o Kaikōura and Hurunui District Council have strengthened their partnership through key initiatives, including a significant land acquisition, establishment of a wharenui in Hanmer Springs, and development of a cultural storytelling experience. Alongside ongoing collaboration, these projects reflect a growing, future-focused relationship grounded in shared aspirations.
Te Pae O Uta
Far North District Council
Te Pae o Uta is Far North District Council’s Te Ao Māori framework, guiding staff to improve inclusivity and responsiveness. It addresses systemic barriers through stronger Māori participation, enhanced organisational capability, and community empowerment. Delivered through structured planning, training, and engagement, it embeds Treaty commitments and supports culturally responsive decision-making across Council.
Watch entryTe Pae o Uta is Far North District Council’s Te Ao Māori framework, guiding staff to improve inclusivity and responsiveness. It addresses systemic barriers through stronger Māori participation, enhanced organisational capability, and community empowerment. Delivered through structured planning, training, and engagement, it embeds Treaty commitments and supports culturally responsive decision-making across Council.
Toituu Marae
Waikato District Council
Toitū Marae is a Waikato District Council initiative strengthening relationships with marae, hapū, and iwi. Created to address gaps in engagement, it provides a consistent, culturally grounded pathway for Māori participation. Through hui and ongoing communication, it supports mātauranga Māori in decision-making and recognises marae as vital community and emergency hubs.
Watch entryToitū Marae is a Waikato District Council initiative strengthening relationships with marae, hapū, and iwi. Created to address gaps in engagement, it provides a consistent, culturally grounded pathway for Māori participation. Through hui and ongoing communication, it supports mātauranga Māori in decision-making and recognises marae as vital community and emergency hubs.
Tomokia tōku whare – A te ao Māori partnership approach to resource consenting
Te Kaunihera o Te Tairāwhiti - Gisborne District Council
Tomokia tōku whare is a Gisborne District Council framework supporting iwi and hapū participation in resource consenting. Grounded in kaitiakitanga and aligned with Te Tiriti Compass, it addresses barriers in complex regulatory systems. Built on three pou—resilience, people, and process—it strengthens relationships, capability, and transparency in environmental decision-making.
Watch entryTomokia tōku whare is a Gisborne District Council framework supporting iwi and hapū participation in resource consenting. Grounded in kaitiakitanga and aligned with Te Tiriti Compass, it addresses barriers in complex regulatory systems. Built on three pou—resilience, people, and process—it strengthens relationships, capability, and transparency in environmental decision-making.
Website co-design
Otago Regional Council
Otago Regional Council co-designed a new website with Aukaha to strengthen partnership with tangata whenua and improve digital accessibility. The project enhanced navigation, storytelling, and public understanding, while embedding Kāi Tahu values, te reo Māori, and cultural identity. It also built staff capability and delivered measurable improvements in community engagement.
Watch entryOtago Regional Council co-designed a new website with Aukaha to strengthen partnership with tangata whenua and improve digital accessibility. The project enhanced navigation, storytelling, and public understanding, while embedding Kāi Tahu values, te reo Māori, and cultural identity. It also built staff capability and delivered measurable improvements in community engagement.
