[1] The district stretches from the small town of Mangakino in the northwest to the Tongariro National Park in the south, and east into the Kaingaroa Forest, covering 6,970 km2 (including Lake Taupō).The area is also represented by the Mangakino Pouakani Representation Group which has a total of six members including three Councillors.The area will also be supported by a Mana Whakahono a Rohe, a partnership agreement between Taupō District Council and Ngāti Tūrangitukua, the Ngāti Tūwharetoa hapū which holds mana whenua over Tūrangi township.As part of the Mana Whakahono, an equal co-governance committee made up of both Ngāti Tūrangitukua and council appointees will be set up.The office of mayor of Taupō was established in 1989 as part of the 1989 local government reforms.