About Us
Ko Wai Mātou
Our History
Ngā wā o mua
Ngā Iwi Tōpū o Waipā (NITOW) was established in 1994 to be the administrative body of the Iwi Consultative Committee (ICC), a Standing Committee of the Waipā District Council.
While the ICC was responsible for governance and strategy, NITOW was responsible for processing Resource Consents and other land and water initiatives. The ICC was disestablished in 2023, but NITOW continues to represent cultural and historical interests for hapū. The group meet monthly to discuss issues regarding land and water and continue to administer Council’s Resource Consent process via the appropriate hapū representative.
NITOW’s creation was a mana whenua led initiative in response to the workload required to support the consultation process required of the Resource Management Act 1991.
Our Work
Tā Tātou Mahi
NITOW exists to represent hapū, cultural and historical interests over land and water. The forum considers Resource Consents and other council or private initiatives that impact land and water. Policies and initiatives unrelated to land and water are out of scope.
NITOW appreciates the absence of a governance body has left Waipā DC staff with limited options for a collective mana whenua voice.
Therefore, other council kaupapa may be considered for discussion in the monthly meetings - where time permits. These initiatives are treated with a lower priority, and no additional input or resourcing is provided outside of the meeting.
Our Members
Tō Tātou Hapori
The original membership of NITOW was designed to complement the ICC structure, eventually becoming the appointers of ICC representatives.
At that time hapū and iwi were grouped into eight tūtohu whenua (landmarks), but the composition changed over the years to reflect the needs of the time.
Join Us
Nau mai, haere mai
Ngā Iwi Tōpū o Waipā meet every month and our next meeting date is listed below. To find out more, contact us.
Membership Portal
Te Wāhi Mema
Existing members can access forum documentation and current application information through our member’s portal. New members can apply for access by signing up here.