Co Governance Structures and Decision Making Arrangements

Response

Sent: Monday, 15 June 2026 02:23pm
Subject: Official Information Request - Council Money

I refer to your Official Information request of 8 June 2026 for information regarding Co Governance Structures and Decision Making Arrangements

Question:

Details of all current co-governance or joint committee arrangements between Rotorua Lakes Council and iwi/hapū, including the names of the committees and the iwi/hapū involved.

Answer:

Councils’ website contains this information on pages 36 and 37 of the Governance Statement 2025-2028

https://www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/our-council/about-council/governance

Question:

The voting rights, quorum requirements, and decision-making powers of these co-governance or joint committees.

Answer:

This information is located in our Co-Governance and JMA Agreements.

Question:

How Rotorua Lakes Council has implemented Māori wards, including any changes to governance structures, committee membership, or decision-making processes as a result.

Answer:

Councils’ website contains this information in sections 4 Representation Arrangements (page 7), 5 Councillor Roles and Responsibilities (page 8) and 7 Council Decision Making Committees (page 16) of the Governance Statement 2025-2028 https://www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/our-council/about-council/governance

Question:

Any internal policies, guidelines, or agreements that set out how Treaty of Waitangi obligations are given effect in council decision-making.

Answer:

Rotorua Lakes Council notes that it is not a Treaty partner; obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi sit with the Crown. Council’s responsibilities arise through legislation (including the Local Government Act 2002) and specific Treaty settlement arrangements where Council is a named participant.

Council does not maintain a single standalone internal policy or guideline that sets out how Treaty obligations are given effect in decision-making.

Relevant considerations are instead reflected across a range of mechanisms, including:

• Statutory co-governance and settlement arrangements (e.g. Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group and other legislated bodies);
• Partnership and relationship agreements with iwi and Māori organisations (including the Te Arawa Partnership Agreement and various protocols and memoranda of understanding);
• Council policies that provide for Māori participation and engagement in decision-making (e.g. Significance and Engagement Policy);
• Organisational practices, advisory mechanisms, and internal capability supporting engagement with Māori.

In summary, these matters are addressed across multiple instruments rather than through a single consolidated policy or guideline.