Terminal to set sail

special for Te A¯ tiawa, whose awa (Waitohi River) was near the site, and it was encouraging that the relationship with stakeholders involved with the project had been positive and authentic.

‘‘It provides a way in which Te A¯ tiawa can express its culture and its connection and relationship of this whenua through this project.

‘‘The sacred awa is right there, so it could not get any more special.’’

When he thought about the future, he also thought about what was left for the next generation.

‘‘The responsibility we have now as project partners, iwi and the community, is to ensure that our community and people thrive now and into the future. It is what it means to be good ancestors,’’ Carter said.

Port Marlborough chief executive Rhys Welbourn said its team believed in measuring its success in terms of its ability to positively impact on people, the planet, the economy and its partnerships.

He said it was a ‘‘once in a generation’’ project, which had real opportunities for the region.

‘‘The project affords the opportunity to make changes to some of our core infrastructure and how we connect together, and with the rest of New Zealand and the world.’’

Marlborough mayor John Leggett said it was not that long ago the council was asking the community whether it should raise a $110m loan to finance the port’s share of the project.

‘‘I really want to congratulate Kiwirail, Port Marlborough, Te A¯ tiawa o te Waka a Ma¯ ui on the success of the public engagement.

‘‘We have a community that are right behind this project.’’

The redevelopment is expected to take at least four years and to create 200 full-time construction jobs and 100 jobs in indirect employment.