John Bishara

John Bishara is the chair of the Trust Board for Ngāti Tūwharetoa, actively involved in the negotiation of the Joint Management Agreement (JMA) with the Taupō District Council. Recently, he criticized the council's decision to delay the agreement, arguing that the process had been conducted in alignment with legislation and that public consultation, despite being unnecessary, had been prioritized over the agreement's merits. Bishara emphasized the importance of the JMA for the Tūwharetoa community and expressed disappointment in the council's handling of the situation, highlighting the need for a consistent approach to community engagement.