In reality, the core of the water reforms remains the same, with critics pointing out that the changes are largely cosmetic. The central and most contentious element of Three Waters, co-governance with mana whenua iwi, has been reconfirmed. The problem is that iwi co-governance of water has never been explained or sold to the public. Some suspect the Government see this co-governance mechanism as a shortcut to avoid dealing more substantively with iwi water claims. It’s about entrenching Māori co-governance as a system.” Iwi co-governance might well have many advantages for the management of water reforms.

Source: Stuff May 02, 2022 02:51 UTC