Summary
The genesis of the co-governance deed was the deed of settlement between the Crown and Waikato-Tainui signed on 22 August 2008 (and subsequently replaced by a new deed on 17 December 2009) in respect of the Waikato River. The Waipa River is acknowledged as a significant contributor to the Waikato River. Accordingly, the Crown and Maniapoto initialed an agreement in principle on 4 September 2008 for co-governance and co-management of the Waipa River. The agreement in principle was subsequently replaced by a co-governance agreement signed on 3 November 2009. On 27 September 2010, the Crown and Maniapoto signed a deed in relation to co-governance and co-management of the Waipa River.
A guiding principle is te mana o te Waipa. The relationship between Maniapoto and the Waipa River is historic, intellectual, physical, and spiritual. To Maniapoto, the Waipa River has mana and in turn, represents the mana of Maniapoto. This relationship requires the restoration and maintenance of te mana o te wai. The restoration and maintenance of the Waipa River, as part of a larger catchment, needs to be coordinated as a whole, consistent with the desire of Maniapoto to keep intact the mauri (life force) of the Waipa River, ko Waiwaia, in its entirety.