Volume One 3. Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi Issue 3B – Regard is not given to kaitiakitanga and the ability of Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi to exercise kaitiakitanga is not enabled. Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi have developed an environmental ethic and management system for the sustainable management of natural resources, which is embodied in kaitiakitanga. As explained earlier, the responsibility of kaitiaki is twofold: first, the ultimate aim is to protect mauri; secondly, there is a duty to pass the environment to future generations in the same or better condition than the current state. While the RMA requires the Council to have particular regard to kaitiakitanga in Section 7(a), Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi consider that they are not always practically able to exercise kaitiakitanga. There are a number of reasons for this, including those described in the issues that follow. For example, Issue 3D identifies that because of the holistic approach of iwi to the environment, they are very aware of the impact of resource use on the mauri of resources. In wanting to protect the mauri of resources, Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi believe that kaikiakitanga practices need to be recognised and implemented. In terms of Issue 3E, an inability to access and use cultural resources in traditional ways may see the mana of an iwi being impaired as they cannot fulfil their roles and responsibilities as kaitiaki. Of considerable significance for Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi is a lack of iwi involvement and consideration of iwi values in resource management decision making processes. This is described further in Issue 3G, but essentially iwi consider that a practical expression of kaitiakitanga can only be achieved through greater involvement by iwi in decision making. Collectively, the issues that follow identify matters that impact on the ability of Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi to exercise kaitiakitanga. Issue 3C – The threats to the cultural heritage of Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi. The Marlborough landscape and coastline is rich in iwi heritage. This history has a present day reality, reflected in the many sites and features of particular significance to iwi (either individually or collectively). These are primarily sites connected to iwi histories, traditions and tikanga. Examples include mahinga mātaitai (places for gathering seafood), waahi tapu (ancestral sites), landscape features that define iwi boundaries, arawhito (significant trails), access points to rivers, wetlands and the coast, places of iwi occupation such as pā and marae, urupā (burial sites) and battle grounds. Some of the sites are waahi tapu, or sacred sites, as a result of past events or activities. Individual sites may collectively contribute to culturally significant landscapes. These sites, features and landscapes are collectively part of the cultural heritage of each of Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi. This cultural heritage forms a particularly significant and unique part of Marlborough’s wider heritage and is significant to all of the community, due to the link that it provides between past, present and future generations. Some of these sites and features, such as the Wairau Bar, Tuamarino (site of the Wairau Incident), Mussel Point and Horahora Kākahu Island are of national significance. Marlborough's tangata whenua iwi believe their ability to access areas of cultural heritage (whether areas of Māori owned land, mahinga mātaitai or other important sites or features) has been significantly compromised in some areas of the Marlborough Sounds by uses such as jetties, reclamations, moorings, boatsheds, etc. Being able to access the features, sites or landscapes that contribute to the cultural heritage of each of Marlborough's tangata whenua iwi is fundamental to their identity. The destruction and degradation of cultural heritage sites, features and landscapes of significance to Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi has occurred in the past as a result of the use and development of Marlborough’s natural and physical resources, especially land resources. The 3 – 9