Co-governance

Co-governance in New Zealand consists of various negotiated arrangements where Māori people and the Crown share decision-making, or Māori exercise a form of self-determination through a devolution of state power. Notable examples include the co-management of natural resources as part of the provision of Māori social services by Māori-focused entities, and statutory Māori representation in local government bodies.[1][2] In addition Treaty of Waitangi settlements from 2008 often had co-governance agreements where the iwi involved worked with significant rivers, watersheds, coastlines and landmarks.[3]

During the 53rd New Zealand Parliamentary term (2020–2023), the Sixth Labour Government implemented several co-governance arrangements across several public service provisions including healthcare, water management and resource management including Māori wards and constituencies in local government, Te Aka Whai Ora (Māori Health Authority), the Natural and Built Environment Act 2023, and Three Waters reform programme. These expanded co-governance policies attracted vocal opposition from the National, ACT, and New Zealand First parties.[4][5] Following the 2023 New Zealand general election, the newly-formed National-led coalition government has announced that it would reverse several of Labour's public service co-governance policies including the Māori Health Authority.[6][7]

  1. ^ "Co-governance, human rights & te Tiriti o Waitangi". Human Rights Commission. 6 November 2023. Archived from the original on 27 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Part 1: Introduction". Controller and Auditor-General of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  3. ^ Finlayson, Chris; Christmas, James (19 July 2021). He Kupu Taurangi: Treaty Settlements and the Future of Aotearoa New Zealand. Huia Publishers. ISBN 978-1-77550-615-7.
  4. ^ "Co-governance: The misunderstood political hot potato and likely election dominator?". MinterEllisonRuddWatts. 14 December 2022. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  5. ^ Moir, Jo (6 October 2023). "Co-governance explained and defined – by politicians". Newsroom. Archived from the original on 18 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  6. ^ LaHatte, Deborah (24 November 2023). "Treaty issues among policy compromises for new government". Te Ao Māori News. Māori Television. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  7. ^ "What the new government may mean for Māori, Te Tiriti". 1 News. TVNZ. 24 November 2023. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.

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