Discussions between Ruapehu District Council, iwi partners and local communities have ramped up in the last week as the first deadline looms in the Government’s local government reform programme. The iwi proposal, known as Te Kāhui Maunga, was developed by iwi that have settled their Treaty claims and covers the areas currently served by the Ruapehu, Whanganui, Taupō and Rangitīkei district councils. The collective iwi proposal aligns closely with an option for a new unitary authority comprising the Ruapehu, Whanganui, Rangitīkei and Taupō districts, to be discussed by the Ruapehu council on Wednesday. The iwi proposal was first raised during a community meeting in May and developed during iwi partners workshops in May and June. It also identifies other iwi with interests across those landscapes, including Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui and Mōkai Patea Nui Tonu.