Council reaffirms our Tuia agreement committing to working well together

The Tuia Agreement signifies a shared commitment between the region’s Papatipu Rūnanga and Canterbury Regional Council to recognise the relationship between Ngāi Tahu, their ancestral land, and the fact that it’s inextricably affected by the work that Canterbury Regional Council does. It’s about working together to achieve better outcomes for everyone and protect the environment.  

The updated agreement was endorsed by Te Rōpū Tuia, a collective group of regional councillors and chairs of the region’s Papatipu Rūnanga on 29 August 2025. It was then adopted by Council in September and has since circulated amongst ngā rūnanga for their ratification.  

It has been 13 years since the original agreement was signed in 2012. This updated version includes some updated wording, some context changes, such as the presence of the Ngāi Tahu Councillors, and acknowledges how priorities and ways of working have changed and adapted over time, but the updated agreement still holds the same intent as the original.  

Te Rōpū Tuia co-chair Gail Gordon said the signing of the updated agreement honours its vision to work together to ensure a sustainable environment for future generations.

“We acknowledge those who came before, who came together to sign the first Tuia Agreement in 2012, and we recommit ourselves to the kaupapa of partnership, sustainability and intergenerational responsibility.”