Nod on iwi compo deal near

A Taranaki iwi is close to securing agreement regarding a cash and compensation package related to the $200 million Mt Messenger bypass that cuts through its ancestral land.

The deal, as it currently stands, includes a land swap involving a 120 hectare section, a cash payment, environmental mitigation measures and a commitment to training, work or business opportunities for Nga¯ ti Tama which might arise from the roading project.

The need for direct consultation with Nga¯ti Tama arises from the fact a section of its land, known as Parininihi, is affected by the New Zealand Transport Agency’s (NZTA) proposed 5.2 kilometre bypass at Mt Messenger, work which includes a bridge and tunnel. The whenua (land) was vested to the iwi following its 2003 Treaty of Waitangi deal.

Since late 2016, NZTA has been in talks with Te Ru¯ nanga o Nga¯ ti Tama, which is the iwi’s post settlement governance entity.

The ru¯ nanga appointed Greg White to head up the negotiations with NZTA, along with a lawyer to offer additional support.

White remains a controversial figure within the iwi and was at its helm when $20m of its treaty settlement cash was lost to a string of failed investments.

Closed door hui have been held with iwi members, and

‘‘I’m hopeful that we will get agreement.’’

Greg White

White said he was confident a positive resolution would be reached regarding a compensation and mitigation package.

‘‘I’m hopeful that we will get agreement,’’ he said on Friday, but he remained tight-lipped on how much money was on the table regarding any potential deal. However Stuff understands the amount to be significant.

If a deal was reached, White added it was likely the iwi position would move from one of neutrality for the project to endorsement.

Of the submissions received regarding 60 resource consents tabled by NZTA in connection with the roadworks, 1154 were in support, 20 opposed and three were neutral.

On June 11, independent commissioner Stephen Daysh was due to begin his role overseeing the consents hearing but a need for further discussion on the ecological impact has seen the process pushed back and at this stage. No new date has been set.

While acutely aware of the environmental impacts of the project, White was confident these could be managed through its agreement with NZTA.

In his statement of evidence to the upcoming resource consent hearing Mike Dreaver, who was engaged by NZTA to provide advice on iwi and Ma¯ ori engagement and lead negotiations on the mitigation and compensation package, said there had been ‘‘intense’’ negotiations between the two. Dreaver’s evidence outlined how in May 2017, a 120 hectare block at Gilbert Rd near Urenui, close to Pukearuhe Marae and owned at the time by Shell, came on the market and was deemed as suitable to be used in a land exchange, should the project get the green light.

NZTA had always had a position it would not compulsorily acquire the land needed from Nga¯ti Tama and the Gilbert Rd site was close to the only marae in the iwi’s rohe (tribal area). The Crown subsequently bought the property and it has formed part of discussions with iwi since.