Understanding the common ground between Mātauranga Māori and western engineering science is key to unlocking great partnerships between mana whenua and councils.

Hastings District Council has developed a successful co-design approach enabling mana whenua partnership around water projects. This approach has led to the award-winning Waiaroha Discovery Centre combining hi-tech water treatment and community education.

In this Tawara o te Wai podcast, Jon Reed and Hannah Edmond talk to the council's principal advisor - relationships, responsiveness and culture, Charlie Ropitini, about how this model successfully integrates Mātauranga Māori and water engineering at a project level.