Te Herenga
Terms of Reference 2013 - 2015
1.
Background
1.1
A Māori National Network was first established in 2003 by the Environmental Risk Management
Authority in response to the Government’s direction (POL Min (03)7/14) to improve the participation of
Māori in HSNO Act decision-making. When the Environmental Risk Management Authority was
disestablished in 2011, this Network was transferred under the broader environmental management
umbrella of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
1.2
Following a review in 2012, the Network was re-established with a new network known as Te
Herenga. The name is taken from a pounamu presented by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu to the Network
as a mauri for the kaupapa of the Network and its relationship with the EPA.
1.3
The EPA supports and facilitates the operation of Te Herenga. The responsibilities of members and
the EPA are outlined below.
2.
Purpose
To seek the continual improvement of the value and effectiveness of Māori1 engagement in EPA
decision-making.
2.1
Te Herenga provides an avenue for improving the value and effectiveness of Māori engagement in
decision-making by the EPA and under the environmental Acts and other obligations for which it is
responsible.
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Membership
3.1
Te Herenga is made up of Māori resource and environmental managers, practitioners, or experts who
represent their iwi, hapū or Māori organisation on matters of relevance to the activities and decision-
1For
the purposes of this Terms of Reference ‘Māori’ is taken to mean tāngata whenua, mana whenua, mana moana or other iwi, hapū or Māori
organisational representations of relevance to the activities and decision-making of the EPA.
www.epa.govt.nz
making of the EPA. Such organisations include those whose values and interests in natural resource
and sustainable environmental management is affected by EPA policy and process.
3.2
Each organisation may have up to two representatives on the Te Herenga database though numbers
invited to attend EPA organised activities will be determined in accordance with budgetary constraints.
3.3
Where limited spaces are available at EPA hui, members will always be given preference. However
where a member is invited to attend Te Herenga activities but is unable to attend, the iwi, hapū or
Māori organisation they represent may from time to time send a replacement to represent their
interests. Members will be responsible for ensuring that replacements have the appropriate
background and context to the activities they will be attending and participating in.
3.4
Replacements will not be added to the Network database.
3.5
Membership is only confirmed once the required registration process has been completed and
members will be required to re-confirm their membership up to every three years.
3.6
In registering as a member of Te Herenga, participants agree to:

Complete the registration form (providing contact details etc)

Complete an induction process (to ensure new members are brought up to speed quickly)

Review and confirm their membership up to every three years

Notify the EPA of any change of contact details

Observe Te kawa o Te Herenga when participating in activities organised for its membership
Kāhui Kaumātua
3.7
The Kāhui Kaumātua is a collective of the koroua and kuia from Te Herenga who oversee the tikanga
and kawa of the group and its activities. This collective meet from time to time to discuss and provide
advice from a mātauranga and tikanga perspective on issues of relevance to Te Herenga.
3.8
As advisors of tikanga and kawa for Te Herenga, the kāhui may also develop and initiate processes to
address inconsistencies with Te Kawa o Te Herenga (Appendix 1).
4.
Relationship to the EPA
4.1
Te Herenga is established and managed by the EPA through Kaupapa Kura Taiao (the EPA Māori
Policy & Operations Group).
4.2
Where possible senior staff, members of the EPA Board and Ngā Kaihautū Tikanga Taiao (the EPA’s
statutory Māori Advisory Committee) will attend and participate in activities organised for Te Herenga.
4.3
In being responsible for the administration and coordination of Te Herenga, the EPA commits to:

Administering its membership and database

Coordinate Te Herenga activities consistent with the agreed work programme
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
Be available to attend, participate and provide presentations to Māori organised hui of relevance
to the functions of the EPA

Share information about:
o
EPA legislative responsibilities including statutory decision-making;
o
the development of operational policy and process;
o
the activities of other agencies or organisations where relevant to the EPA and that may
affect the environmental management regime; and
o

how Māori values and views are recognised and incorporated in EPA policy development.
Identify members with specific skills and experience to contribute to focussed activities
associated with applications, policy and process development and other specific issues on a
case by case basis (e.g. reference and working groups)

4.4
Provide members with:
o
Summary reports, minutes or notes of Te Herenga meetings;
o
Te Pūtara (the EPA Māori newsletter); and
o
Other relevant publications, resources and information.
The EPA will in most cases2 cover the reasonable travel and associated costs incurred in attending or
participating in EPA coordinated Te Herenga activities. The EPA is not able to cover the cost of
members’ time for these activities unless agreed for specific purposes.
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Activities & Work Programme
5.1
Kaupapa Kura Taiao, in collaboration with Ngā Kaihautū Tikanga Taiao and members of Te Herenga
will develop/review a broad three year activities and work programme for the Network. The forward
looking work programme will be consulted on annually.
5.2
Māori groups, government agencies or industry groups may from time to time be consulted on the
work programme where topics, themes or opportunities of relevance to the focus of Te Herenga arise.
5.3
The activities and work programme will contribute to the achievement of the purpose of Te Herenga
and may include:
2

Professional development opportunities and topics

Themes / focus for upcoming hui

Opportunities to contribute to EPA policy and process development/review
Equitable support considerations will apply to members representing commercial entities.
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5.4

Regionally based activities / projects

Contributions to major application projects (e.g. consultation reference groups)

Industry focussed awareness raising activities
On a case by case basis unplanned initiatives or changes to the work programme may occur as a
result of changing priorities. Where possible members will be consulted in advance.
6.
Review of Terms of Reference
6.1
These Terms of Reference will be collaboratively reviewed by the EPA and members of Te Herenga
by 30 June 2015.
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Appendix 1
Te Kawa o Te Herenga
Te Herenga and the EPA are committed to the development and management of effective, constructive and
beneficial relationships. These relationships will at all times be governed by tika, aroha and pono, and should
reflect the kaupapa (principles) and hanga (behaviours) outlined below.
Where inconsistencies with this kawa occur, the Manahautū (General Manager Kaupapa Kura Taiao) of the EPA
will address the issue with the member/s concerned to seek a mutually acceptable resolution. Where such a
resolution is not possible, the matter will be referred to the Kāhui Kaumātua of Te Herenga as the guardians of the
kawa.
A.
Kaupapa (principles)
Te Herenga is founded on:
1.
Māori cultural values, knowledge and language as well as the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tīriti
o Waitangi);
2.
The unique knowledge, innovations, customary activities and experience of kaitiakitanga;
3.
A recognition of the value of kaumātua wisdom and knowledge, and the vigour and passion of rangatahi;
4.
The role of kaitiaki; and
5.
The recognition that members may represent their iwi, hapū or Māori organisation, but as a collective group
does not represent or replace the views and opinions of iwi, hapū or Māori organisations.
B.
Tikanga (behaviours)
All those attending and/or participating in an EPA event or activity will strive to:
6.
Act honestly, in good conscience, in good faith and with integrity.
7.
Interact with fellow members and others involved in Te Herenga activities in such a way that preserves the
mana and reputation of both Te Herenga and the EPA. This includes interacting in a positive, constructive
and respectful manner.
8.
Treat information of a sensitive, commercial, or otherwise confidential nature appropriately and in the
confidence with which it was given; and
9.
Members are welcome to communicate with the media and to freely express their views and opinions
recognising that they do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Te Herenga or the EPA.
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