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Implementing Mahinga Kai as a Māori Freshwater Value
A comprehensive kete for implementing mahinga kai within the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020
Explore the Kete
Mahinga Kai: Connecting People with Place
Mahinga kai connects people with place, tangata with whenua. This fundamental principle underpins one of the most significant changes in New Zealand's freshwater management framework.
The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 elevated mahinga kai from an 'other national value' to a single compulsory value, promoting Māori measures of freshwater health to the same status as other compulsory biophysical values.
This transformation acknowledges that tangata whenua are the experts for the values and knowledge they hold for their local waterbodies, providing an avenue for te ao Māori to be recognised in the freshwater management system.

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The change was driven by recognition that the amended 2017 NPS-FM did not fully enable Māori to participate in freshwater management processes.
The Collaborative Framework
Identify Values
Regional councils must work collaboratively with tangata whenua to identify Māori freshwater values that apply to any Freshwater Management Unit (FMU) in the region.
Active Involvement
Tangata whenua must be actively involved in decision-making processes relating to Māori freshwater values at each step of the National Objectives Framework process.
Enable Participation
The framework enables tangata whenua to meaningfully exercise their obligations to freshwater taonga through collaborative engagement.
The NPS-FM 2020 requires regional councils to include mahinga kai and other Māori freshwater values in regional plans by December 2024. This ambitious timeline necessitates effective tools and guidance to support implementation across multiple catchments.
About the Mahinga Kai Kete

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"This kete is a resource that may assist with the implementation process. It can be used by tangata whenua and councils alike."
The mahinga kai kete serves as a comprehensive toolkit designed to support the implementation of Te Mana o te Wai. This resource consolidates information and examples around different stages of identifying and protecting mahinga kai.
Key Objectives
  • Develop consolidated tools for implementing the compulsory mahinga kai value
  • Support regional councils and tangata whenua through the NOF process
  • Draw on case studies and feedback to improve understanding
  • Place kaupapa Māori assessment tools within the NOF context
  • Enable better support for tangata whenua participation
Mahinga kai is determined locally by tangata whenua, and this kete provides options and guidance rather than prescriptive solutions.
Understanding Māori Freshwater Values
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Compulsory Mahinga Kai Value
The foundational value that must be included in all regional freshwater planning, encompassing the health of kai and the mauri of wai.
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Additional Māori Values
Any other values identified by tangata whenua for particular waterbodies or Freshwater Management Units through collaborative processes.
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Collaborative Identification
Values are identified through partnership between tangata whenua and regional councils, ensuring local knowledge and expertise guide the process.
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Active Involvement
Tangata whenua participation in decision-making processes at every step, from identification through to implementation and monitoring.
The NPS-FM 2020 mahinga kai descriptor is appropriately broad, empowering tangata whenua to determine these values for themselves whilst providing a framework for consistent implementation across regions.
The Kete Toolkit Components
Vision and Goals
Tools for identifying long-term visions and goals to meet target attribute states, ensuring mahinga kai values are embedded in strategic planning.
Attributes and Baselines
Guidance for identifying environmental outcomes, objectives, attributes, and baselines that reflect Māori measures of freshwater health.
Target States and Timeframes
Methods for setting target attribute states with appropriate timeframes that align with both regulatory requirements and cultural aspirations.
Monitoring and Reporting
Establishing methods for monitoring progress towards achieving target attribute states and environmental outcomes, including mātauranga Māori measures.
Mapping and Assessment
Tools for undertaking mapping and reporting on mahinga kai, understanding how attributes relate to limits and management methods.
Mātauranga Māori Integration
Providing for measures of mātauranga Māori in mahinga kai assessment and implementation, ensuring cultural knowledge is valued and protected.
Research Methodology and Engagement
Comprehensive Approach
The development of this kete involved multiple research methods to ensure comprehensive coverage of mahinga kai implementation across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Hui and Wānanga
Engagement with mahinga kai practitioners at flax-roots level and consultant experts
Regional Authority Surveys
Comprehensive surveys sent to all regional authorities with follow-up meetings
Case Study Analysis
Review of council documents and NOF applications for mahinga kai implementation
Tool Assessment
Analysis of existing kaupapa Māori assessment tools for NOF application

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Targeted engagement enabled tangata whenua to direct discussions on fundamental issues, challenges, and opportunities in mahinga kai implementation.
Key engagement topics included ways to engage at the flax-roots level, opportunities and challenges in regulatory processes, long-term versus short-term aspirations, and managing sensitive cultural information.
Te Mana o te Wai: The Foundation
"Te Mana o te Wai is a mātauranga Māori approach to water which focuses first on the health and wellbeing of water and water systems, secondly on the health of people, and thirdly on social, economic and cultural wellbeing."
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Water Health
First priority
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People's Health
Second priority
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Social, Economic & Cultural Wellbeing
Third priority
Te Mana o te Wai must be given effect to when managing freshwater and directs how the NPS-FM 2020 is implemented. Mahinga kai is intrinsically connected to Te Mana o te Wai, with the principles of mana whakahaere, kaitiakitanga, and manaakitanga integral to tangata whenua relationships with wai.
The Six Principles of Te Mana o te Wai
Mana Whakahaere
The power, authority, and obligations of tangata whenua to make decisions that maintain, protect, and sustain freshwater health and wellbeing.
Kaitiakitanga
The obligation of tangata whenua to preserve, restore, enhance, and sustainably use freshwater for present and future generations.
Manaakitanga
The process by which tangata whenua show respect, generosity, and care for freshwater and for others.
Governance
The responsibility of decision-makers to prioritise the health and wellbeing of freshwater now and into the future.
Stewardship
The obligation of all New Zealanders to manage freshwater to sustain present and future generations.
Care and Respect
The responsibility of all New Zealanders to care for freshwater in providing for the health of the nation.
Moving Forward: Implementation and Partnership
The elevation of mahinga kai to a compulsory value represents a positive step in responding to Te Mana o te Wai. During policy development, mahinga kai was championed by partners as comprising multi-faceted and integrated indicators that address both kai being safe to harvest and eat, and ensuring the mauri of the wai remains intact.
"Through the relationship with ngā atua kaitiaki (spiritual guardians), mana whenua believe they have a duty to their tūpuna (those living and those to come) to take care of and protect ngā taonga."
This kete provides the foundation for meaningful collaboration between tangata whenua and regional councils. As experience in implementation grows, there will be opportunities to build upon this resource, ensuring fit-for-purpose approaches that honour both regulatory requirements and cultural values.

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Key Resource: Te Kāhui Wai Māori overview on Te Mana o te Wai provides essential guidance for implementation.
The journey towards implementing mahinga kai as a Māori freshwater value requires ongoing partnership, respect for mātauranga Māori, and commitment to the health and wellbeing of our precious water taonga.