Ineffective council

Is Rohutu Block one of the few traditional customary Ma¯ ori lands left untouched by the European laws?

Liam Hodges made it clear to the Waitara Community Board in 2014 and 2015 that the Rohutu Block was private land, this was substantiated by Taranaki Regional Council. This was in response to seeking assistance to the current erosion on that block and rubbish bag dissemination. The NPDC and TRC wiped their hands to both these matters.

The trustees of the Rohutu Block have had a number of confidential meetings with NPDC since 2014 and still this matter lingers on. It went to court and mediation was meant occur but still no outcome. We now have one individual trying claim his iwi (Ngati Awa) rights to do what he is doing, there has been speculation and conjecture which continues that Ngati Awa were the original and rightful iwi here but no official acceptance that that was or is the case.

Ngati Awa, Te Atiawa, Atiawa members will now make their way down to Rohutu Block and make claim to their patch of land, and build a house on it. It is clear you do not need or require a permit or consent from NPDC or anyone else.

As the spokesperson from NPDC (Katrina Brunton) has stated all that is required is a Building Consent. That is marvellous news for those that whakapapa to that land.

Therefore, Joe Rauner’s comments of council intervention is somewhat ineffective.

Bill Simpson

Waitara