Mana Whakahono ā Rohe

A Mana Whakahono ā Rohe (MWAR) agreement is a binding statutory arrangement under the Resource Management Act (RMA) that provides for a more structured relationship between local authorities and iwi/hapū authorities.

Government first introduced MWAR agreements into the Resource Management Act (RMA) in 2017 as a way of improving working relationships between tangata whenua and councils and to provide more opportunities for tangata whenua involvement in RMA decision-making processes (while acknowledging that statutorily RMA decision-making resides with Northland Regional Council).

Several Northland hapū-Northland Regional Council (NRC) Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements have been signed, with Patuharakeke and Ngāti Rēhia signing in December 2020, and Te Parawhau ki Tai in April 2024.

On 12 December 2024, NRC signed its first Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreement with an iwi entity, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Hine.

Download the agreements

Hapū Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreement

Hapū MWAR agreement open in new window open in new window

Iwi Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreement

Iwi MWAR agreement open in new window open in new window
People signing documents.

NRC Deputy Chair Tui Shortland and Chair Geoff Crawford sign the Mana Whakahono ā Rohe between Ngāti Hine and NRC.

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