“We are a river iwi. Our relationship with our awa tupuna (ancestral river) has developed over centuries. Ngaati Koroki Kahukura continues to exercise the customary rights and responsibilities of kaitiakitanga over the Waikato River from Karaapiro through to Arapuni. As a kaitiaki of our ancestral river, Ngāti Koroki Kahukura continue to be responsible for protecting the health and well-being of the river for future generations. This statement of association also applies to all lakes and tributaries of the awa tuupuna”. (Ngaati Koroki Kahukura Claims Settlement Act 2014)