Housing top priority for partnership
Iwi are planning to work together with the Wellington City Council to solve Wellington’s housing crisis.
Yesterday, council held its first ever meeting at Pipitea Marae, where representatives and iwi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), agreeing to facilitate housing projects.
The MOU defines the relationship between the council, Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko o te Ika (Taranaki Whanui) and Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira Inc for Ngati Toa Rangatira (Te Runanga).
Deputy Mayor Paul Eagle said previous MOUs had been on a lower level and council now wanted to incorporate iwi needs into its vision.
The strategic relationship would give iwi the opportunity to contribute to council decision-making and be a provider of leadership, with the council, for the city.
‘‘We want to elevate this relationship … It puts iwi in the driving seat with us and will fast track things.’’
He said the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust, which was now more commercially focused, was set to become the most powerful economic player in the region.
‘‘And now the trust has the people to make it happen,’’ he said.
Trust chairman Wayne Mulligan and deputy chairwoman Hannah Buchanan said they were confident good will between the new leadership of Taranaki right Whanui and the council would result in great things for the city.
‘‘If we are on the same page, things can go much more smoothly for Wellington,’’ Buchanan said.
As significant landowners at Shelly Bay, both parties recognised the importance of working together to ensure a wider strategic vision for the Miramar Peninsula.
However, Shelly Bay was only one commercial project, Mulligan said.
The entities also had joint interests in the housing space and would work in partnership on other significant cultural or commercial developments, the town belt and the right of first refusal interests.
‘‘We are also looking at working through processes for Watts Peninsula and properties around the CBD,’’ he said.
Councillor Simon Marsh, portfolio leader for economic development, said it was crucial for the council to work with iwi on matters such as housing to facilitate land use and not hold up development opportunities.