Tūhoe - Te Uru Taumatua and the Whakatāne District Council have agreed to work together to define shared principles which will guide their growing relationship.

A report received by the Council earlier this month acknowledged a relationship "based on a joint learning approach, respect for Tūhoe philosophy and strategic direction and an understanding of the shared responsibility for communities within the Tūhoe rohe.

Council Chief Executive Marty Grenfell said that following the Māori Ward poll earlier this year, it was appropriate to clarify the Council's position on how it will relate to and work with iwi. "There is recognition from both Tūhoe and Council that our relationship is healthy, positive and open and there is a joint desire to see that relationship further developed and its principles applied to matters both parties wish to see advanced," he said.

Speaking to the report, Mayor Tony Bonne said there were clear connections between Tūhoe -Te Uru Taumatua aspirations and the Council’s role to promote the social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeings of the community. 

"The relationship between Tūhoe -Te Uru Taumatua and the Council has developed to a point where meaningful progress has been made towards achieving improved community outcomes," Mayor Bonne said. "It's timely now to recognise the synergies between our roles and jointly explore mutually beneficial opportunities, such as the 'Nature’s Road' project to enable a closer relationship to Te Urewera; the creation of hapū villages to meet Tūhoe housing needs over the next 40 years; and shared infrastructure opportunities."

The Council adopted the report recommendations that the "healthy and growing relationship" with Tūhoe - Te Uru Taumatua be acknowledged; and that staff work with Tūhoe to define shared principles to guide future relationship growth.

Speaking following the meeting, Tūhoe - Te Uru Taumatua Chairman, Tamati Kruger, said: "We can do no wrong with a friendship agreement of trust and confidence. It will offer up new and unimagined possibilities that improve happiness and dispel misery."