The Whanganui River, also known as Te Awa Tupua and Wainuiārua, is a vital living entity that sustains and nourishes the land and its people, from its source – Ruapehu, to its mouth at the sea. For Māori, the river is deeply intertwined with their physical, cultural, and spiritual well-being.

In a landmark decision in 2017, the New Zealand government granted the Wainuiārua legal personhood through the Te Awa Tupua Act. This pioneering legislation, which enshrined the Ruruku Whakatupua – Deed of Settlement into law, recognises the river as a legal entity with rights and responsibilities similar to those of a person.

Historically, the awa suffered ecological and cultural harm from Crown activities from the 1880s to the 1920s, including steamer operations and mineral extraction. These actions led to significant degradation and disregarded the river’s spiritual significance. Since the 1870s, iwi had petitioned Parliament for redress.

This settlement acknowledges our deep spiritual and cultural connection to the awa. For the hapū of Wainuiārua, the health of our awa is inseparable from our well-being. Thus, the settlement honours our unique relationship and secures a framework for the river’s enduring protection and restoration.