Land bill passes its third reading
A contentious land bill which has faced ongoing opposition passed its third reading, the final step before it is officially made law.
The New Plymouth District Council (Waitara Lands) Bill reached the milestone more than two years after it was first introduced to Parliament in September 2016.
Its progress through the legislative framework has not been smooth and even after significant amendments, made at the recommendation of the Ma¯ori Affairs select committee, the bill did not have widespread support.
The soon-to-be law will allow for 770 Waitara leasehold properties, worth a combined value of $90 million, to be purchased freehold and at market value.
The affected land was confiscated in 1865 by the Crown from Te A¯ tiawa and its two hapu¯ Manukorihi and Otaraua.
A hikoi to Parliament of hapu¯ supporters took place ahead of the third reading on Wednesday.
Te A¯ tiawa kauma¯ tua Grant Knuckey, who has been advocating on behalf of affected Ma¯ori leaseholders, also presented a petition to Parliament, signed by 530 people, which asked for a delay in proceedings ‘‘until all reasonable considerations of the three most affected parties are reasonably met’’.
This was unsuccessful and the bill passed its third reading with 112 votes in favour and eight recorded against it. Royal Assent will now follow to officially make it law. The leaseholders have been unhappy with the terms of the bill, in particular that they would have to pay the full market value for land. The group had also felt left out of the ongoing discussions related to the bill, in the lead up to the third reading.
At an extraordinary meeting of the New Plymouth District Council on December 7, a motion to support the support the bill was passed unanimously despite leaseholder opposition.
At the meeting, Otaraua hapu¯ withdrew its support for the bill, but preserved the option of entering back in. Manukorihi previously indicated its endorsement of the bill.
For National MP Jonathan Young, who has championed the bill, the outcome was hugely satisfying. ‘‘This will be of huge benefit and a huge opportunity for the Waitara community.’’
While aware some of the leaseholders still felt aggrieved, Young said the work to recognise the needs of hapu¯ within the process was vital.
New Plymouth District Mayor Neil Holdom, who attended the reading of the Bill in parliament, welcomed the move.
‘‘This Bill isn’t perfect but it’s the best solution while ensuring we meet our financial obligations to all of our 80,000 residents and balance competing priorities.
‘‘This co-governance model between NPDC, hapu¯ , Iwi and the TRC, will mean there is investment in community projects and the Waitara River, to benefit the whole community.’’
As a way forward for leaseholders, Knuckey said the group was floating an idea to form a collective which would review land valuations and explore freehold options.