Maunga Tohu

Commercial operators authorisation

A Maunga Tohu is an authorisation to conduct a commercial activity on a Tūpuna Maunga, granted by the Tūpuna Maunga Authority (TMA).

The Tūpuna Maunga are sacred taonga (treasures). It is a privilege, and not a right, for people to carry out commercial activities on the Tūpuna Maunga.

The purpose of Maunga Tohu authorisation is to:

protect, restore and enhance the health and wellbeing of the Tūpuna Maunga
avoid and mitigate adverse environmental effects from commercial activities.

Commercial activities that require a Maunga Tohu

All people and businesses using one or more Tūpuna Maunga for commercial activities (any trade, business or occupation) require a Maunga Tohu under the Tāmaki Collective Redress Act 2014 and Reserves Act 1977.

Undertaking a commercial activity without a Maunga Tohu is a breach of the Reserves Act 1977 and an infringement offence. The penalties for an infringement offence are set out in Schedule 2 of the Reserves (Infringement Offences) Regulations 2019.

Exemptions

Activities exempt from obtaining a Maunga Tohu are:

Authorised Cultural Activities (as per section 66 of the Collective Redress Act)
commercial activities covered by leases or other valid authorisations
activities holding a Tūpuna Maunga event permit
activities holding a Tūpuna Maunga research permit.

Maunga Tohu parameters

Maunga Tohu tier levels

Commercial activities that require a Maunga Tohu are divided into three tiers. Tier levels are determined by the impact of the activity on the Maunga.

Tier 1 activities are the most straightforward and therefore have the lowest impact (if any) on the Maunga.

Tier 2 activities represent a greater impact.

Tier 3 activities—those carrying the greatest impact—are only be awarded a Maunga Tohu via a tender process.

An activity’s tier level influences:

the nature of supporting application documentation required
decision making timeframes
the cost to apply, and to conduct the activity once authorised.

Tier levels and properties

	Definition	Impact to applicant
	Definition	Maunga Outcomes plan	Conditions	Monitoring	Reporting	Priority given to Mana Whenua or people collaborating with Mana Whenua
Tier 1	Low impact* e.g. dog walking, fitness groups	Required	Will be set	May be required	May be required	No
Tier 2	Medium impact* e.g. mobile food trading, markets, all one-off activities	Required	Will be set	Will be required	May be required	Yes
Tier 3	High impact* e.g. bus tour operators	Required	Will be set	Will be required	Will be required	Yes

*Impact is based on hours, noise, number of people

Assessment framework

Applications for Maunga Tohu are assessed against the Tāmaki Collective Redress Act and the Reserves Act, as well as the following:

consistency with the Tūpuna Maunga Integrated Management Plan (IMP) and Tūpuna Maunga Strategies – Commercial Strategy (pages 41 and 42)
the quality of their risk assessment
the quality of their Maunga Outcomes plan.

The TMA may limit the total number of authorisations if the cumulative effect of any one type of commercial activity is detrimental to the Maunga.

Duration, monitoring, review and renewal

Maunga Tohu will be granted for an initial period of 12 months. There is opportunity to apply for longer terms at renewal, and subject to the operator’s performance as assessed by the TMA. This allows us to accurately evaluate the operation’s overall compliance, effects on the Maunga and alignment with our core commercial values.

Fees

		Cost (prices are ex GST)
		Tier 1	Tier 2	Tier 3
AUTHORISATION STAGE	Pre-application fee
	Pre-application meeting fee (if required by applicant)	$300	$300	By tender only
	Application fee
	(Additional process fee may be charged depending on processing time required*. You will be advised on the cost if it is to exceed $300)	$300	$300	By tender only
ACTIVATION STAGE	One-off commercial activity
	Fixed fee (including post event monitoring)	$250	$500	By tender only
	Ongoing commercial activity
	Annual licence fee
	One year licence	$300	$600	By tender only
	Multi-year licence	$250	$500
	Annual monitoring fee (where applicable)	$150	$150
	User fee (per person)
	Adult	n/a	$10	By tender only
	Child 5-17 years		$5
	Child under five		Free

* Hourly rate is $150.00 (including GST)

Amnesty (fees waiver)

The Tūpuna Maunga Authority is offering an amnesty to encourage an easy transition into the new framework.

If you apply by 14 March 2023, and are successful in your application, your fees will be waived for 12 months from the start date of your contract (i.e. for your first full term).

Apply for a Maunga Tohu

Determine which tier your commercial activity is consistent with.
If you are a Tier 1 or Tier 2 applicant, complete the application form.
If you are a Tier 3 applicant, please register your interest in tendering by email.
Our Maunga Tohu coordinator will contact you to confirm receipt of your application and to advise which supporting documents your application requires.
Submit the supporting documents.
A request for further information may be made by the Authority.
A decision will be issued by the Authority.
You will be contacted by our Maunga Tohu coordinator to discuss fees payment and signing your Maunga Tohu contract.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Apply Online Here

Supporting documentation

After you have applied online, our Maunga Tohu coordinator will advise you which of these documents is required:

a risk assessment
a Maunga Outcomes plan
a description of how your activity aligns with the identified plans and values
a Health and Safety plan
a copy of your Public Liability Insurance Certificate
invoicing details.