Deed of Acknowledgement
The Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area is an important historical and cultural site with rich biodiversity.
Auckland Council, together with the Crown and tangata whenua, is progressing a proposed Deed of Acknowledgement under the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Act 2008. This agreement would outline how tangata whenua could contribute to the future care, management, and protection of the Heritage Area.
The current parties involved in the proposed Deed of Acknowledgement are:
- Te Kawerau ā Maki as tangata whenua named in the Act
- Auckland Council
- The Crown, represented by the Department of Conservation.
Ngāti Whātua is also named in the Act as tangata whenua. Their ability to be part of the Deed will be kept open and discussions are ongoing.
The proposed Deed applies only to public land owned or managed by the Crown or the council within the heritage area. It does not apply to private land or water and will not replace existing governance structures.
Purpose of the Deed of Acknowledgement
The Deed of Acknowledgement will:
- identify opportunities
for tangata whenua to contribute to the care and management of public land
within the heritage area
- formally acknowledge the historical, cultural, and spiritual relationship tangata whenua have with that land.
Four key elements of the Deed of Acknowledgement
In December 2024, Auckland Council agreed in principle to four key elements of the proposed Deed:
- developing a strategic plan for the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area
- creating a work programme to deliver the goals of that plan
- monitoring progress and outcomes, and making recommendations
- establishing a joint committee under the Local Government Act 2002 with equal representation from tangata whenua, Auckland Council and the Crown.
Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Deed of Acknowledgement
Download the document for Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Deed of Acknowledgement [PDF 1.6MB]
What we want your feedback on
We would like to know:
- why you visit Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area
- what you think about the four proposed elements of the Deed of Acknowledgement
- your views on the role of the proposed joint committee
- how we can involve stakeholders
- anything else you want to share about the proposed Deed.
When you can have your say
You can have your say from Monday 24 March to Monday 28 April 2025.
How you can have your say
To have your say, you can:
- fill our online feedback form
- scan and email your completed form to wrhadeed@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
- complete a feedback form and take it to:
- scan and post your feedback form to:
Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Deed of Acknowledgement
Auckland Council
Private Bag 92300, Victoria Street West
Auckland 1142.
More information
There will be online information sessions for members of the public and stakeholders. To register, check:
- Online Information Session: Learn About the Proposed Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Deed of Acknowledgement at 5.30pm on Wednesday April 3 2025.
- Webinar: Stakeholder Briefing – Proposed Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Deed of Acknowledgement at 2pm on Monday April 7 2025.
We will post the recording of the webinars on the akhaveyoursay website.
Frequently asked questions
Download the frequently asked questions [ PDF 747.95 KB]
Map of the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area
Download the Map of the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area [PDF 588 KB]
What happens next
We will present your feedback to:
- Waitākere Ranges Local Board
- Whau Local Board
- Policy and Planning Committee (under delegated authority of the Governing Body)
- Rodney Local Board.
This will help inform the council's decisions on the proposed Deed.
The Crown, represented by the Department of Conservation, and Te Kawerau ā Maki will make their own decisions on the proposed Deed.
We aim to publish final decisions in July or August 2025.
