Lack of iwi consultation stuns councillor
A decision to erect new replicas of the Endeavour in Gisborne without consulting local iwi has stunned and surprised one councillor who voted against the move.
Gisborne District Council’s operations committee, which comprises all 14 councillors, on Thursday voted 11-3 in favour of installing the new replicas if a community group can raise sufficient funds for the poles strong enough to hold them.
The two replicas, made of aluminium, would replace old wooden ones that stood atop large poles at the entrances to the city.
The council has put $28,000 towards their construction and engineering advice.
A community group has put $20,000 towards costs and is committed to putting another $37,000 into installing stronger poles.
The staff paper before the committee advised councillors that the decision was of high significance to local iwi.
‘‘While the Endeavour has historically and remains an important representation of arrival and settlement for many people, it also represents a painful event in history for others.
‘‘The impact of the committee’s decision, and in the current climate of partnership and acknowledgement, will have a significant and lasting effect on the community of Tairawhiti,’’ staff said.
Third-term councillor Meredith Akuhata-Brown said she was stunned that her colleagues did not vote for a recommendation that would have sought widespread community feedback and consultation with local iwi.
The other councillors to vote against the decision were Tony
Robinson and Deputy Mayor Josh Wharehinga.
‘‘I’ll be honest I was quite surprised there was such support for not consulting iwi. It does show the undercurrent of our council, or councils in New Zealand. I really was quite surprised,’’ she said.
‘‘We felt consultation was needed. They’re going to go on Rongowhakaata (local iwi) land. As a council we are beholden to do diligence around te tiriti,’’ she said.
The committee’s decision will come before the full council at a later date and Akuhata-Brown was confident iwi would make their thoughts known at that stage.
‘‘Already we’ve seen quite a bit of concern about the decision and I have no doubt the iwi will be getting involved,’’ she said.
The Endeavour and Captain Cook are a significant part of the city’s history as he made landfall in New Zealand at a site near what is now Gisborne’s port on October 8, 1769. But the vessel and Cook remain controversial figures. Last year’s Tuia 250 commemorations, which saw a replica Endeavour sail around the country, prompted protests and saw Gisborne iwi refuse to allow it to be used during commemorations.
Mayor Rehette Stoltz could not be reached for comment.