PRESS RELEASE
Māori Party
Fighting for the integrity of water
Rāhui Papa, Māori Party Candidate for Hauraki Waikato paid tribute to the contribution of the late Dame Nganeko
Minhinnick and the Huakina Development Trust in transforming water law and policy in Aotearoa New Zealand, and their
fight for the integrity of water. On Monday 26 June, Rahui opened a conference celebrating the 30th anniversary of the
landmark case Huakina Development Trust v Waikato Valley Authority [1987]. In that case, Justice Chilwell found that:
'There can be no doubt that the Treaty is part of the fabric of New Zealand society. It follows that it is part of the
context in which legislation which impinges upon its principles is to be interpreted.'
Rahui acknowledged the strength of women leaders in Tainui through the years such as Te Puea Herangi and Piupiu Te
Wherowhero, with particular praise for the strength and resilience of Dame Nganeko whose work laid the platform for the
Waikato River Settlement and the concept of Te Mana o Te Wai in the National Policy Statement on Freshwater:
‘Dame Nganeko Minhinnick fought for the integrity of water and as a result of her work, decision-makers today take into
account concepts such mauri and mana and taonga tuku iho. We are proud of her achievements, and we are grateful.’
Other speakers to pay tribute to the importance of the principles laid down in the Huakina decision and to Dame Nganeko
included Carmen Kirkwood and Julie Wade from the Huakina Development Trust; Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias, Judge Carrie
Wainwright; Judge Caren Fox, , Sir David Baragwanath, Waikato-Tainui CEO Donna Flavell; Prof. David Williams and
Resource Management Lawyer, Tom Bennion.