Govt Reaffirms Commitment to Restoring Waikato River Health, Says Tama Potaka

During a recent ministerial forum at Parliament, Potaka expressed gratitude to the Te Arawa River Iwi Trust for their insightful contributions.

The New Zealand government has reaffirmed its dedication to improving the health of the Waikato River, as emphasized by Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka.

During a recent ministerial forum at Parliament, Potaka expressed gratitude to the Te Arawa River Iwi Trust for their insightful contributions. The discussions centered on the restoration and protection of the Waikato River's health, a key priority outlined in the Iwi accord.

Potaka highlighted the opportunity to review progress on ongoing projects, address shared concerns, and explore new avenues for collaboration. A notable initiative discussed was the Trust’s education strategy, He Ripo Areare, which has introduced a mātauranga science education program for years 10 and 11 this term.

Looking ahead, Potaka is eager to collaborate with his Ministerial colleagues and officials to build on the forum’s discussions and further support the Te Arawa River Iwi Trust’s aspirations. He underscored the government’s commitment to honoring Treaty obligations and maintaining strong partnerships with Iwi and hapū, emphasizing that these relationships are crucial for the prosperity of all New Zealanders.