Te Mana o te Wai & Māori Water Rights | Full Lecture with

In this powerful wānanga, we bring together three influential voices — Annette Sykes, Te Maiora Rurehe, and Jack Potaka — for a deep and critical discussion on Te Mana o te Wai.

They explore:

✨ The role of Māori worldviews in legal frameworks
📜 The legal personhood of rivers and lakes
💧 How iwi navigate freshwater governance and consents
🧠 The place of mātauranga Māori and tikanga in water policy
⚖️ Insights into the landmark freshwater case before the High Court
Annette Sykes (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Mākino) brings decades of legal activism and advocacy to the conversation, recently honoured with the Access to Justice Award and a Lifetime Membership from Te Hunga Rōia Māori.

00:00:00 - Introduction and Greetings
00:02:12 - Personal Background and Journey
00:05:32 - The Importance of Water and Critique of Government
00:06:19 - The Role of Universities and Government
00:06:52 - Thesis Discussion: Mana and Pakeha Law
00:07:16 - The Concept of Legal Personality
00:08:43 - The Clash of Pakeha and Maori Laws
00:11:44 - The Emergence of a Third Law
00:11:56 - Examples of the Third Law
00:13:10 - Legal Personality and its Origin
00:14:49 - The Case of Sierra Club in Moreton
00:15:33 - Legal Personality in New Zealand
00:16:09 - The Te Urewera Board and Legal Personality
00:17:27 - Historical Context: Te Urewera District Native Reserved Act
00:18:49 - Legal Personality and Rights of Nature
00:19:40 - The Extension of Legal Personality to Other Entities
00:21:05 - Land Ownership and Legal Personality
00:22:24 - Incorporating Tikanga Maori into Land Ownership
00:24:53 - Exploring New Grounds: Ngāti Rūrehe
00:26:00 - Water Rights and Resource Consents: Tūhouringi Tribal Authority
00:28:59 - The First Law of Te Arawa
00:31:26 - The Struggles of Te Arawa Lakes Trust
00:32:56 - The Resource Management Act and its Impact
00:34:09 - The Fight for Ownership and Control
00:34:29 - The Process of Colonisation and its Effects
00:35:55 - The Struggle for Authority Over Waters
00:38:24 - The Settlement and its Compromises
00:39:43 - The Financial Aspects of the Settlement
00:41:32 - The Differences Between Te Arawa and Tūwharetoa Settlements
00:42:43 - The Crown's Argument and Conception of Property Rights
00:43:54 - The Challenges Faced by Te Arawa Lakes Trust
00:44:44 - The Inequities Resulting from the Settlement
00:46:43 - Te Arawa's Relationship with the Crown and the Settlement Structure
00:47:41 - The Flaws in the Current Settlement Structure
00:49:50 - The Impact of Changes in Government and Legislation
00:56:35 - The Struggle for Recognition of Rights and Interests
00:56:53 - The Importance of Unity and Vigilance
00:58:31 - Reflections on the Te Arawa Lakes Trust Settlement
00:58:44 - The Concept of Mana Motuhake and Kaitiakitanga
01:01:56 - The Assurance of Sir Bill English and its Implications
01:04:06 - The Ongoing Case and Affidavit Preparation
01:05:09 - The Impact of Climate Change on Waterways
01:06:59 - The Need for Recognition and Governance Models
01:07:50 - The Future Court Proceedings and Political Climate
01:09:24 - The Issue of Water Ownership and Interests
01:09:59 - The Importance of Defining Rights and Interests
01:13:10 - The Need for Younger Generations' Involvement
01:15:11 - Reflections on the Current State of Te Arawa Lakes Trust
01:15:54 - The Court Case and Support from the Community