Water vital resource and key to health

Tangata whenua have always had a special relationship with water. Each and every iwi and hapu have their own awa, puna or roto that is special to them, not only for the nourishment it has provided for the many generations of descendants, but also as a marker of their relationship and connection to the place which they call home.

Our relationship is expressed through the many proverbs handed down to us by our tupuna that relate to water. Here in Whanganui we have one of the most renowned and prolific proverbs that expresses the connection that our iwi has with our river, ko au ko te awa, ko te awa ko au, "I am the river and the river is me". There are many other examples of this in our language, and our history that apply to each and every iwi.

Over the past few months, water has again flowed into the political agenda. The Rena disaster in Tauranga, which endangered the moana and kaimoana, gained national profile as the worst maritime disaster in New Zealand this century; fracking, a process which could cause harm to our waterways, has met much opposition due to the potential harmful effects associated with this form of exploratory mining; and of course the highly controversial consultation process on the partial privatisation of power companies, which provided another means for tangata whenua to remind the Crown of our special relationship with wai.

The most recent water issue to rise to the top of the political agenda, was the announcement by the Prime Minister on Saturday, that $8 million would be put towards cleaning up four of the most polluted waterways in Aotearoa. Wainono Lagoon in South Canterbury, Wairarapa Moana wetlands and Waituna Lagoon in Southland, and the Manawatu River have been targeted in this latest round of freshwater clean-ups.

Of these four, the Manawatu River is the most polluted river in New Zealand, and one of the most polluted waterways in the world; $5.2 million has been targeted towards the clean-up of this river alone, and it is funding that is much needed to be able to restore te mauri o te awa, the life force of the river.

I am so pleased that this funding has been targeted towards this river in particular. I do sometimes wonder how it came to pass that our river has become the most polluted in the country. Rumour has it that milk has been dumped in the Manawatu River, and there are businesses using environmentally hazardous practices, which have obviously been going on far too long in relation to this awa.

It is my belief that if we are serious about restoring the river, we must all commit to the kaupapa. I also believe that you must bring the tangata whenua into the process.

The tangata whenua of the region have long fought to have their voice heard in the decision-making related to the use and care of their awa. Rangitane o Manawatu, Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Kauwhata and Te Reu Reu as mana whenua have a relationship with the awa. They have responsibilities to the awa, and connections that go far beyond a "cultural relationship" alone. It is one of the reasons why tangata whenua are concerned about the proposal to partially sell the state-owned assets, and about what will happen to their proprietary rights in the awa.

It is my hope that the Horizon Regional Council will recognise the depth of knowledge and connection that the tangata whenua have with their awa, and look for ways to work collaboratively towards a shared goal of cleaning up the river. With this in mind, I am sure that the restoration process will not just enhance the wellbeing of the river, but also the wellbeing of the hapu, iwi and people who are connected to it.

Water is more than just resource, it is the essence of our health. Our waiora.