Wai Manawa Whenua
Wai Manawa Whenua represents a collective of Māori landowners, hapū, and iwi who have brought a legal case to the High Court of New Zealand to hold the Crown accountable for failing to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and uphold Māori rights and responsibilities over freshwater. The case calls for urgent action to protect and restore our waterways, recognise Māori tikanga and proprietary rights, and establish a fair, enduring water allocation system for all.
"for the health of our water, our whenua, and generations to come"
Our Case:
"A Call for Urgent Action to Honour Te Tiriti to Restore the Health of Water"
Outcomes Sought:
- Immediate action to halt further decline in the health and wellbeing of water bodies.
- Recognition of Māori tikanga and proprietary rights in water and geothermal resources.
- A fair and durable water allocation system that enables Māori to fulfil their responsibilities as kaitiaki.
Frequently Asked Questions:
This case challenges the Crown’s ongoing failure to uphold its Tiriti o Waitangi obligations to protect Māori rights and interests in freshwater. It seeks a Court declaration that the Crown has not honoured past assurances and must act to protect Māori proprietary rightsand interests in water before allocating it to others.
A national coalition of Māori landowners, hapū and iwi from across the motu are standing together to call for change.
Yes, the claim covers both.
Politics and politicians come and go — but our role as kaitiaki is enduring. Our responsibility to protect the health of our waters does not change
For decades, successive governments have promised to address Māori freshwater rights and interests but have failed to take meaningful action. This case responds to those broken promises and calls for accountability.
This isn’t about owning all water. It’s about recognising Māori authority where we have ancestral ties and responsibilities to protect the health of our waters. It’s about shared decision-making and redress for long-standing breaches by the Crown. And it’s about ensuring that Māori have access to the water they need economically, socially and culturally.
No one needs to lose for Maori rights and interests to be honoured. Even the Crown stated in 2012 that “no one would be compromised” by recognising Maori rights. A fair and sustainable system is possible – and urgently needed.
Case Studies:
Lake Wairarapa
From Living Ecosystem to Decline
Once a thriving food basket for Wairarapa whānau and hapū, Lake Wairarapa has been drained, diverted, and damaged by Crown intervention and broken promises. Native species are disappearing, water quality is near collapse, and the mauri of the lake is fading.
Wai Manawa Whenua is calling for justice, restoration, and the return of Māori as kaitiaki to protect this taonga for generations to come.
Wi Pere
Restoring the Mauri of the Waipaoa River
Wi Pere is committed to protecting the Waipaoa River as kaitiaki, recognising its vital role in sustaining the whenua, people, and livelihoods of our community.
Through their Freshwater Advisory Group, they advocate for fair water allocation and stronger water quality standards. As part of the Transition Advisory Group, they work to urgently reduce sediment and forestry slash in waterways.
Video Downloads
0:16
0:16
0:16
0:16
0:16
0:16
0:16
0:16
Download each of the videos above by: Clicking on the 3 dotted line, and press ‘Download’
Get Involved:
Koha/ Donations:
Show your support through making a koha/ donation to help assist the Wai Manawa Whenua – Watercase Litigation.
Download the free social media graphics to share on your platforms and help spread the message.
Media Releases:
Call for Urgent Action to Honour Te Tiriti to Restore the Health of Water
Māori groups representing landowners, hapu and iwi filed proceedings in the High Court on the 26 June, against the Crown, citing its repeated failure to