Indigenous Peoples' and Freshwater: Rights to Govern?

Abstract

The extent of Indigenous peoples’ rights to govern, manage and even own freshwater is a topical issue in many countries. It is definitely hot in Aotearoa New Zealand. The University of Otago, in association with funding from FRST and Landcare Research pursuant to the Old Problems New Solutions research project, recently brought together a group of legally trained experts to gaze both inwards and outwards on the rights of Indigenous peoples to govern freshwater. This article canvasses what went on at that event: the Indigenous Legal Water Forum, held in Wellington on 27th July 2009.