Maori King ‘confident’ at Ihumatao
The Ma¯ori King arrived at Ihuma¯ tao yesterday to collect his flag, which he delivered to the site in August as a symbol of protection over the whenua.
The act showed his confidence a ‘‘positive resolution’’ to the fracas over the rural south Auckland land’s ownership would be announced before Waitangi Day, said Waikato-Tainui’s executive chairwoman Rukumoana Schaafhausen – one of Kiingi Tu¯ heitia Po¯ tatau Te Wherowhero VII’s entourage of several dozen.
She said the king had been working closely with mana whenua over the past six months to reach a resolution that would not involve funding from WaikatoTainui.
Protesters have been occupying the site for the past three years.
Fletcher Building bought the land in 2016 for a housing development but critics say it should be returned to Ma¯ ori.
After a formal po¯ whiri, the flag was lowered and then handed to the king by Ihuma¯ tao’s occupiers.
Occupiers Pania Newton and Qiane Matata-Sipu maintained they could not reveal any specifics about the pending deal, though Newton described it as a ‘‘success for the nation’’.
Matata-Sipu said all she could say was that: ‘‘If the king is happy, by all means we are happy’’.
The women confirmed the Kiingitanga had not bought the land.
Auckland mayor Phil Goff said discussions with the Crown and Kiingitanga, on behalf of mana whenua, had been positive and an agreement could be reached soon.
‘‘Once a draft agreement is reached by all parties, this will then be subject to final approval by all councillors at the governing body next month.’’
Finance Minister Grant Robertson said the Government acknowledged the significance of the king’s decision to lower his flag.
‘‘We will continue work with all parties to reach a resolution.
‘‘We are mindful of Fletcher’s position as the legal owner of the land, and a satisfactory settlement with them is an important part of a resolution.’’
In September, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced no development would take place at Ihuma¯ tao until a solution over the long dispute was reached.
Fletcher Building had planned to build ¯480 houses near the protected Otuataua Stonefields reserve at Ihuma¯ tao.
Protesters claimed the land was a sacred Ma¯ ori site and should be preserved for future generations.