The thesis investigates how a Pakeha cultural perspective came to dominate water resource use and management to the exclusion of Maori spiritual and cultural values. This thesis examines through a case study of the Kaituna River claim, how in solving Rotorua's sewage disposal problems, why only the values of the Pakeha culture were considered. With increasing attention being focused on the development of bicultural policies for resource management, the findings of the Waitangi Tribunal provide a useful starting point. The claim by N gati Pikiao challenges the underlying philosophy of water resource management held by the dominant culture. The roots of the Pakeha perspective are outlined together with a resource management world view of the Maori. By so doing, it will be shown that traditional Maori and present Pakeha values are complementary. The findings of the Kaituna River claim show that it is possible to resolve problems in a bicultural fashion and this may have important implications for the future. New legislation, such as the State-Owned Enterprises Act 1986, the Environment Act 1986, and the Conservation Act 1987 are now required to take the Treaty of Waitangi into account therefore ensuring that Maori values will be accounted for in legislation. It is pertinent, therefore, to examine those values held by Pakeha in relation to water resource use so that the problems of the past, such as those illustrated in the Kaituna River claim may provide alternative solutions for future resource management problems.