Tooku awa koiora - Waikato River Authority

16/06/2026

We are proud to welcome Daniel Ranga (Waikato, Tūhoe) as the inaugural Pou Tikanga of the Waikato River Authority.
Daniel brings over 20 years of experience working at the intersection of te ao Māori, iwi engagement, and organisational leadership. Most recently serving as Kaiwhakahaere Ako and Pou Tikanga at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, he has also contributed his expertise as Pou Tikanga at Wintec and Pou Reo at Hamilton City Council.
In his role as Pou Tikanga, Daniel will help ensure that tikanga guides and strengthens everything we do in service of Te Ture Whaimana, our collective vision to protect and restore the Waikato and Waipā rivers for generations to come.

14/06/2026

Click here to register for the WRA Online Funding Workshops - https://form.jotform.com/261368726825063

12/06/2026

A fitting tribute to founding Waikato River Authority Co-Chair John Luxton. It is great to see his legacy recognised and remembered through a scholarship established in his name.

09/06/2026

Read Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board's stance on the PC1 decision.

09/06/2026

MEDIA RELEASE
Waikato River Authority hails PC1 ruling as milestone for river restoration
The Waikato River Authority has welcomed the Environment Court's final decision on Plan Change 1 (PC1) to the Waikato Regional Plan, describing it as a critical milestone in the long-term journey to restore and protect the health and wellbeing of the Waikato and Waipā Rivers.
PC1 is the first major regulatory step toward restoring water quality across the Waikato and Waipā river catchments. It sets long-term water quality targets aligned with Te Ture Whaimana o Te Awa o Waikato, the Vision and Strategy for the Waikato River, with an overarching goal of enabling people to safely swim in the river and gather food from it along its entire length by 2096. An interim target of 20% improvement in water quality has also been established.
In its decision, the Court stated: "Whatever the extent of reductions achieved, they will form an essential first step toward achieving Te Ture Whaimana, which cannot be achieved without them." The Court also found that PC1 provisions will reduce effects on water quality to be as low as practicable across the catchment within 10 years.
Waikato River Authority Co-Chair Stu Kneebone said the decision reinforced the importance of Te Ture Whaimana as the guiding framework for restoring the river for future generations.
"This decision confirms that Te Ture Whaimana remains the compass guiding the restoration of the Waikato River system. The Court has recognised that improving the health of the river will take time, commitment and collective action across the catchment."
"The river did not become degraded overnight and it will not be restored overnight. What is important is that progress continues and that we keep moving forward together."
Waikato River Authority Co-Chair Danny Loughlin said the decision reflected the intent of the Waikato River settlement and the shared responsibility of all people to restore the Waikato and Waipā Rivers.
"Te Ture Whaimana was created to ensure the health and wellbeing of the river is placed at the centre of decision-making. This decision reinforces that vision and acknowledges that Plan Change 1 is part of a much longer intergenerational journey."
"Mā rau ringa e ora ai te awa - many hands will restore the river. That is the spirit we must carry forward from this decision. Everyone has a role to play in restoring and protecting the Waikato and Waipā Rivers for future generations."
The Court stressed that the success of PC1 will depend heavily on collaboration between iwi, farmers, industry, councils and communities. The Waikato River Authority said it will continue to give effect to Te Ture Whaimana through integrated, holistic and coordinated action across the catchment and looks forward to working with all parties to build on this decision as the next steps in the restoration journey are progressed.

02/06/2026

The Waikato River Authority 2026 funding round is now open.

Up to $6 million will be available for projects that help restore and protect the health and wellbeing of the Waikato and Waipā Rivers.

Visit waikatoriver.org.nz to apply.

26/05/2026

Kia ora e te whānau, our latest quarterly newsletter is now out, with everything you need to know about the Waikato River Authority funding round opening on Tuesday, 2 June.

Find out more about the funding process, key dates, and upcoming online workshops by clicking the link below.

This year, the team has redesigned the application process to make applying for funding more streamlined and accessible for iwi, communities and project partners. We are also running online workshops in June and July to help guide applicants through the process and answer any questions along the way...

20/04/2026

Waipā Primary School's Pippa has given the Water Skills for Life – River Safety Programme the thumbs up after spending a full day developing practical water safety skills in the Waikato River.
The Youthtown programme supports schools in the Waikato Region, helping students understand how to stay safe in moving water, building both confidence and capability.
Ten-year-old Pippa said the most important lesson she learned was to keep a cool head.
“You just need to stay calm and relax,” she said.
Programme Team Leader Pip Sutton acknowledged that learning in a natural river environment can feel daunting for both students and parents, particularly following recent flooding events.
“We understand some parents were nervous about this type of learning in the Waikato River,” Sutton said. “We won’t pretend there’s no risk; rivers are dynamic environments. But we have fully trained staff, strong health and safety protocols, and additional support, including kayaks in the water, to ensure everyone is safe.”
Sutton said learning in real river conditions is essential.
“Because it is a river, it’s important that tamariki understand how to be safe in that environment. On hot days, many young people head to the river. Knowing how to stay safe could make all the difference.”
The Waikato River Authority helped sponsor the Water Skills for Life – River Safety Programme, which plays an important role in equipping young people with the knowledge and skills they need to safely enjoy the Waikato River.

15/04/2026

The Waikato River Authority is proud of the mahi Stu Muir brings to the board table and the field.

Stu Muir is a Waikato farmer who believes strongly in local individuals and communities taking responsibility for the environment around them.

13/04/2026

Moe mai rā e te rangatira, e Alan Livingston ONZM.

It is with sadness that we acknowledge the passing of former Waikato River Authority Board member, Alan Livingston ONZM.

Alan served as a Crown appointee on the Authority from its inception in November 2010 until April 2020. Prior to this, he was a member of the Guardians Establishment Committee, which first met in 2008 and helped lay the foundations for the restoration and protection of our awa.

WRA Co-Chair Stu Kneebone reflected on their time working together at the Waikato Regional Council, noting that Alan had a genuine passion for the taiao and was a strong supporter of catchment restoration, both through his governance roles and on his own farm at Te Pahu.

The Authority extends its aroha to his whānau, friends, and all who had the privilege of working alongside him.

Haere atu rā e te rangatira. Okioki mai rā.