An Auckland tribal organisation says it's been very beneficial working more closely with neighbouring iwi on projects of national importance, especially with Government agencies on roading plans in the region.
Hokai Nuku is an alliance that was established to represent iwi and hapu just north of Auckland, and has been dealing with the New Zealand Transport Agency since 2010 on a range of issues around roads of national significance.
The vice chair Tame Te Rangi said it came out of a recent Treaty Settlement where 13 entities came together with a vision to move forward together with iwi and the Crown.
He said collaborating with the five iwi that make up the organisation - Ngati Manuhiri, Ngati Whatua, Te Uri o Hau, Ngati Rango and Ngati Paoa has meant putting their differences aside and co-operating in a sharing sense as opposed to postulating whose tribal territory belongs to whom.
Hokai Nuku was consulted when the NZTA recently decided on giving a dual name for a stretch of State Highway One - Ara Tūhono - Puhoi to Wellsford road of national significance.
NZTA said its partnership with iwi in Auckland and Northland can be seen on a number of highway projects that reflect cultural heritage through the design of panels, walls, bridges and artwork.
It said it's committed to working closely with those iwi in all of their state highway projects.
