New appointments as Te Pou Tupua for river welcomed

• Published date: 03 November 2021

Ngā Tāngata Tiaki o Whanganui chairperson Sheena Maru and Environment Minister David Parker have welcomed the appointment of Keria Ponga and Turama Hawira as Te Pou Tupua.

In a joint statement last week, Sheena Maru and David Parker said:

“Today, Ngā Tāngata Tiaki o Whanganui chairperson Sheena Maru Minister and Environment David Parker announced the appointments of Te Pou Tupua, the face and voice of Te Awa Tupua.

“Since 2017, the Whanganui River has been recognised as a living and indivisible whole comprising of all its physical and metaphysical elements from the mountains to the sea, through the Te Awa Tupua Act.

“Keria Ponga together with Turama Hawira have been appointed and will together perform the Te Pou Tupua role for the next three years.”

Sheena Maru acknowledged the efforts of all who have contributed towards this effort under the COVID-19 situation.

“Today is a reminder to us all that at the heart of the Te Awa Tupua settlement framework is the legal recognition of the interconnectedness of the Whanganui River, its peoples, and its resources,” she said.

“Whilst Ruruku Whakatupua remains a ground-breaking settlement legislation, there is much more work to be done to foster understanding to protect and enhance the health and wellbeing of the Te Awa Tupua and its indivisible whole incorporating its tributaries and all its physical and metaphysical elements from the mountains to the sea.”

The appointments are made jointly by the iwi with interests in the Whanganui River and the Crown.

They symbolise both the partnership between iwi and the Crown and the Crown’s...