Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River Claims Settlement) Act 2017

19 Functions of Te Pou Tupua

(1)

The functions of Te Pou Tupua are—

(a)

to act and speak for and on behalf of Te Awa Tupua; and

(b)

to uphold—

(i)

the Te Awa Tupua status; and

(ii)

Tupua te Kawa; and

(c)

to promote and protect the health and well-being of Te Awa Tupua; and

(d)

to perform, for and on behalf of Te Awa Tupua, landowner functions for—

(i)

the land vested in Te Awa Tupua by section 41(1) or under section 53(3), except to the extent that section 42(2) is applicable; and

(ii)

any land transferred to, or vested in, Te Awa Tupua under section 48; and

(e)

to administer Te Korotete; and

(f)

to maintain the Te Awa Tupua register; and

(g)

for the purposes of section 60, to authorise the use of the name Te Awa Tupua; and

(h)

to enter into the relationship documents described in clauses 3.36 to 3.42 of Ruruku Whakatupua—Te Mana o Te Awa Tupua; and

(i)

to take any other action reasonably necessary to achieve its purpose and perform its functions.

(2)

Without limiting subsection (1), Te Pou Tupua, in performing its functions,—

(a)

must act in the interests of Te Awa Tupua and consistently with Tupua te Kawa:

(b)

must develop appropriate mechanisms for engaging with, and reporting to, the iwi and hapū with interests in the Whanganui River on matters relating to Te Awa Tupua, as a means of recognising the inalienable connection of those iwi and hapū with Te Awa Tupua:

(c)

may report publicly on matters relating to Te Awa Tupua:

(d)

may engage with any relevant agency, other body, or decision maker to assist it to understand, apply, and implement the Te Awa Tupua status and the Tupua te Kawa, including (if Te Pou Tupua and the agency, body, or decision maker agree) by developing or reviewing relevant guidelines or policies:

(e)

may participate in any statutory process affecting Te Awa Tupua in which Te Pou Tupua would be entitled to participate under any legislation.