Accord at Lake Waikaremoana

ACCORD: Te Uru Taumatua representative Kirsti Luke (centre) with a koha, a photograph of Lake Waikaremoana when tree stumps were still visible, given to them by Gisborne Waikaremoana Boating and Fishing Association chairman David Parker (left) after a meeting at Aniwaniwa. Standing behind are, from left Marty Charteris, Tina Wagner, Blair Waiwai, Alec Crighton, Roger Gillingham, Roanne Storey, Tamati Kruger, Annie Burgess (seated), Dave Aitken and Pete Burgess. Picture supplied

Issues surrounding fishing, boating and camping at Lake Waikaremoana have moved in a positive direction following a meeting at Aniwaniwa between Ngai Tuhoe iwi executives and representatives of the Waikaremoana Boating and Fishing Association.

Te Uru Taumatua chairman Tamati Kruger and chief executive Kirsti Luke, said the two organisations would work together over actions needed to bring about the summer experience that worked for both parties.

The Waikaremoana Boating and Fishing Association (WBFA) was seeking permission to repair boat ramps, pontoons, warning lights and other structures conducive to safe navigation for boating and tramping.

WBFA president David Parker said lake users also wanted to better understand the tikanga and practices surrounding Lake Waikaremoana, following the transfer of governance from the Crown to Tuhoe.

WBFA, which has a membership 1000 (including family memberships) sought clarity to future relationships between iwi, stakeholders such as themselves, Fish and Game NZ, the Department of Conservation, Wairoa Anglers club and others, he said.

Kirsti Luke thanked the WBFA for their patience over months of stalled communications.

Te Uri Taumatua was dealing with many critical social issues facing the iwi relating to poverty, cultural dislocation and poor education outcomes.

Things like maintenance of pontoons, hazard markers and permanent boatmoorings had not been on their list of priorities, she said.

She said that while WBFA members were willing to accept cultural protocols surrounding the lake and abide by them, there were others using the facilities over which club members had no control.

Mr Parker said that WBFA members would understand the protocols and abide by them.

“If members see others not abiding by the tikanga of Tuhoe regarding Lake Waikaremoana, then a conversation is encouraged to take place.”

The hui covered issues that had concerned many lake users over the past few years under Tuhoe's governance, he said.

“A change in attitude is required by all users now — it is a privilege to use this taonga and not a right.”

Many people of second and third generation users think they “own the lake”.

“It is not a National Park anymore,” said Mr Parker.

The purpose of the hui was to establish respect, trust and understanding between Ngai Tuhoe and WBFA.

This was achieved, for future dialogue, he said.

Kirsti Luke told them the iwi had limited resources “outside the office” for developing and maintaining visitor facilities. The co-management relationship with DOC had failed, and the Crown had come up with no alternative.

Mr Kruger said that having met with Waikaremoana Boating Association members face to face, Ngai Tuhoe had been able to share the context of the situation on the day-to-day issues facing them.

It was special to sit around the board room table, and see the physical emotions, expressions from everyone present, as we all shared to same love for this place, he said.

Mr Kruger said the meeting had been very positive.

There had been many rumours broadcast over access to the lake such as that Ngai Tuhoe would charge an extraordinary amount of money for it.

“This meeting showed that we can talk to each other in a plain and direct way about the facts. We want to deal with facts and promote them as customs and traditions.

“We now understand each other's position and have decided that we can help each other and work as a team because of our love and admiration of this place.”

Mr Parker said he was delighted with the meeting's outcome and the relationship being forged.

WBFA and Ngai Tuhoe had agreed to meet again before the summer, to establish the tikanga to enable all lake, tramping/ hut users to understand what they could and could not do at specific locations.

“Ngai Tuhoe made a clear point — they don't want to establish rules,” he said.

This would encourage a better flow of communication, he said.

“We will be able to answer, when people ask what's happening at the lake.

“Ngai Tuhoe and WBFA want to walk alongside each other.”

Once gathered, future information would be posted on the facebook page.