Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi and Auckland local government

The Auckland Plan 2050 recognises te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi in Auckland's past, present, and future. It is the foundation on which local government in Auckland works to deliver Māori aspirations.

Te Tiriti/the Treaty is New Zealand's founding document. Signed in 1840, it is an enduring, living document, its principles recognised in legislation and interpreted by the courts. It is part of the fabric of New Zealand society.

If you would like to find out more about the Treaty visit the New Zealand History website.

Auckland Council is a delegate of the Crown exercising powers of local government in Auckland. It has statutory obligations to Māori in order to recognise and respect the Crown's responsibility to take appropriate account of the principles of the Treaty.

Treaty principles

The Treaty is articulated in law through an evolving set of principles.

Treaty principles have been expressed and recognised through a range of courts and the Waitangi Tribunal. They are not exhaustive, and it is recognised that other principles may be developed with time.

They must be considered as a whole rather than separately due to the overlaps and synergies between them.

The following principles are relevant to local government:

• partnership
• active protection
• rangatiratanga
• reciprocity
• mutual benefit
• options
• right of development
• redress
• informed decision making.

Te Tiriti/the Treaty is a guide for how Auckland Council fosters more positive and productive relationships with Auckland's Māori.

The Māori Responsiveness Framework, Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau was adopted by Auckland Council in 2021. It guides us with 10 Māori outcome priorities. These directly contribute to Māori identity and wellbeing and other Auckland Plan 2050 outcomes.

Houkura, formerly known as the Independent Māori Statutory Board, was established in Auckland to help the council make decisions, and to carry out its role in relation to Māori.

It does so by promoting economic, environmental, cultural and social issues of significance to Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau, and by ensuring the council complies with statutory provisions referring to the Treaty of Waitangi.