Q: What is the Guardians Establishment Committee (GEC)?
Answer: The GEC was established in March 2008 under terms of an Agreement in Principle between the Crown and Waikato-Tainui for the settlement of the tribe's Waikato River Raupatu Claim. Its role was to develop a Vision and Strategy for the Claim to restore and protect the health and wellbeing of the Waikato River.
In October 2008, the Terms of Reference for the GEC was revised to provide for the continuation of the GEC to carry out additional functions being:
- provision of advice to the Crown and Waikato-Tainui on matters relevant to the Vision and Strategy;
- promoting the adoption of the Vision and Strategy in plans and policies affecting the Waikato River;
- developing and implementing education and awareness programmes in relation to the health and wellbeing of the Waikato River;
- promoting policies to improve the health and wellbeing of the Waikato River; and
- acting as a reference group for the scoping study to identify rehabilitation priorities in relation to the Waikato River.
It has 12 members of which 2 are appointed by Waikato-Tainui, 4 appointed by other Waikato River iwi and 6 are appointed by the Crown.
Q: What are the Terms of Reference?
Answer: The GEC has been given specific Terms of Reference on its role and functions. These are outlined in the Terms of Reference which can be viewed or downloaded here .
Q: Who will be responsible for implementing the Vision and Strategy?
Answer: The Guardians of the Waikato River will have the ongoing responsibility for the Vision and Strategy.
Q: What area does The Vision and Strategy apply to?
Answer: The GEC's Terms of Reference defines the area subject to the Vision and Strategy as being the Waikato River and activities in the catchments affecting the Waikato River from Huka Falls to Te Puuaha o Waikato including the Waipaa River from its junction with the Puniu River to its junction with the Waikato River.