Protest targets borrow pits
A local hapu¯ in Nga¯ ruawa¯ hia has protested at the site of a housing development, saying it does not want borrow pits to be destroyed.
Nga¯ti Tamainupo¯ want the two pits at the section on Great South Rd to be left untouched.
About 60 protesters gathered at the site on Saturday, holding signs saying ‘‘no digging in our history’’ and ‘‘children of the pits’’.
The borrow pits are remainders of historic food pits used by Ma¯ ori, and relate to the naming of the town, Nga¯ti Tamainupo¯ trust chair Kimai Huirama said.
Seventeenth-century chief Ngaere called out ‘‘wa¯hia nga¯ rua’’, or ‘‘break open the food pits’’ at a feast bringing together both the Waikato (including Nga¯ti Tamainupo¯) and Maniapoto tribes, Huirama said.
‘‘They are tangible, physical and historical evidence of our gardening practices.’’
The pits would be hundreds of years old, Huirama said.
The section has recently been sold to Perry Group as part of the River Terraces development in the town.
‘‘Our research has shown of the 140 borrow pits that were associated with Pukeiahua Pa¯, only seven remain, and they happen to be on the proposed site of the development.
‘‘Up until lockdown, we were consulting with the developers of that site and gave them a very clear indication that we would oppose any action to destroy them.’’
An archaeological authority to dig was allowed by Heritage New Zealand on the site for exploration, but the hapu¯ don’t want this to happen, Huirama said.
‘‘It’s our view that by digging and getting more archaeological information, that at the same time you’re destroying the site,’’ she said.
The hapu¯ was left off a list of interested parties that could respond within 15 days before the dig began, Huirama said.
‘‘There was an issue with the process, we didn’t get a chance to respond.’’
But after the protest on Saturday afternoon, developers contacted Nga¯ti Tamainupo¯, saying digging would be suspended until they have spoken with hapu¯ , Huirama said.
‘‘We appreciate the developers have responded quickly, and we are going forward in good faith.
‘‘Our aim has always been to protect the borrow pits,’’ Huirama said.
River Terraces is a residential
Nga¯ti Tamainupo¯ Trust chair development project in Nga¯ ruawa¯ hia running off Great South Rd and Saulbrey Rd.
approached Perry Group for comment but it was not able to respond before the deadline.
Maureen Prendergast, who previously owned the land with her husband Viv, said the land had grazing cattle on it for 50 years before being sold to Perry Group.
Maureen Prendergast said she had not had discussions with the hapu¯ about the borrow pits during that time.
‘‘It would be interesting to find out why they are concerned in the borrow pits on the section when there were other ones at other sections along the river.’’
She had previously heard from Heritage New Zealand, which had done an aerial survey and thought the depressions in the land might be the historical borrow pits.
‘‘Our research has shown of the 140 borrow pits that were associated with Pukeiahua Pa¯, only seven remain, and they happen to be on the proposed site of the development.’