Māori in geothermal planning

Tangata whenua have a long, unique and intergenerational relationship with geothermal. In Rotorua, ngā wai ariki (geothermal) remains central to everyday life and the wellbeing of tangata whenua.

Colonisation, following the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, set in motion legislative and social changes that have altered the way that geothermal is used and managed. Key to this was the Crown taking control of the formal management of the geothermal system, under various statutes. While customary practices continued, wider access to and use of geothermal was managed by the Crown, which compartmentalized and commodified the system.

The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) signalled an intention to shift focus back towards sustainable management and the recognition of the relationship of Māori with geothermal. Since then, there has been 'fine tuning' of legislation, progress towards Treaty of Waitangi Settlements, building of case law on Māori rights and interests in geothermal, and growing awareness within central and local government of Te Ao Māori, a Māori world view. The Natural and Built Environment Act 2023 and Spatial Planning Act 2023 further cement the intention for Māori to participate in decision making.

The development of the Draft Rotorua Geothermal System Management Plan (SMP) by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council (Council) in partnership with tangata whenua provides an opportunity to rethink the way the Rotorua Geothermal System is managed. The SMP has been co-developed by the Council and tangata whenua, with input from the wider community, to embed the unique perspectives and mātauranga (knowledge) of tangata whenua; and to reflect the aspirations of