Antoine Coffin
Kaihautū CEO, Waikato River Authority | Raukawa, Ngāti Apakura, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, and Ngāpuhi
Antoine Coffin is the Kaihautū (Chief Executive Officer) of the Waikato River Authority (WRA), a role he has held since July 2024. He brings over 25 years of experience in Māori resource management, cultural heritage planning, Treaty settlements, and community engagement. His appointment reflects his dedication to restoring and protecting the health and well-being of the Waikato and Waipā Rivers.
Affiliated with Raukawa, Ngāti Apakura, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, and Ngāpuhi, Mr. Coffin has held significant leadership roles within his iwi. He has served as the Chair of Ngāti Ranginui and led various post-settlement governance entities, encompassing fisheries, aquaculture, and historic land settlements. Additionally, he is a qualified Resource Management Act (RMA) Commissioner and a Crown-appointed Freshwater Commissioner.
Tooku awa koiora – river of life
This presentation explores the enduring legacy of Te Ture Whaimana o Te Awa o Waikato—the Vision and Strategy for the Waikato River—and its influence on river settlements, governance, and environmental restoration. As a foundational document born from Treaty settlements, Te Ture Whaimana articulates a holistic framework for restoring and protecting the health and wellbeing of the river, embedding cultural values and co-governance principles into decision-making processes.
I examine the interventions required to uphold this legacy, including policy alignment, collaborative implementation, and the integration of mātauranga Māori with scientific knowledge. Central to this discussion is the role of resources and information—both traditional and contemporary—that guide strategic planning, operational delivery, and community engagement. By reflecting on the successes and challenges of river settlement implementation, this presentation highlights pathways for strengthening the relationship between iwi, government agencies, and local communities in pursuit of a thriving river system.