He Mauri tō Te Urewera : Understanding Legal Entities: The Transition from Resource Management to Human Management within Te Urewera

Abstract

Environmental management in Aotearoa New Zealand has had a very generic application since colonisation began in 1840. Prior to this, Māori (the Indigenous peoples of this land) had been practicing environmental management methods since their arrival in New Zealand. Their practices were influenced by the relationships they shared with their environments. Post colonisation we see the cumulative effects of the inability of Māori to look after their lands, further resulting in the destruction of land and waterways for human benefit. Lately, through the Treaty Settlements processes and other relevant legislation, Māori have been able to express their rights as kaitiaki to look after the lands with which they identify. Recently, some geographical features have been recognised as ‘legal identities’. This means that they now have all rights, powers, duties, and liabilities of a legal person. That grants Te Urewera, Whanganui River and soon Mount Taranaki their own personhood. This practice has altered the way in which we see the environment as it transitions from a resource to a living entity.

The present research aims to provide understanding around how we can manage our co-existence with the environment through a case study of Te Urewera. To do so, an in-depth analysis of literature will be presented as well as interviews with key informants. The key informants are selected based on their knowledge of resource management in New Zealand and either Te Urewera or legal entities in general. Through developing an understanding of how to co-exist with the environment, this research attempts to promote the sustainable management of the environment through legal entities as an appropriate alternative method for environmental management and conservation.