Protect heritage site, hapu tells district council
A glimmer of hope is on the horizon for the hapu¯ trying to protect a significant heritage site from being destroyed for residential development in Nga¯ ruawa¯ hia.
About 200 people turned out to support Nga¯ ti Tamainupo¯ and its hikoi from PukeI-Ahua Lane to the Waikato District Council’s doorsteps yesterday, to lay down a challenge to elected members.
Nga¯ ti Tamainupo¯ Trust Chairwoman Kimai Huirama said a resolution needs to be found to protect the last remnants of ma¯ ra kai (gardens) located on private land earmarked for stage 6 of the River Terraces subdivision.
Huirama said research showed the gardens were close to Pukeia¯ hua Pa¯ , and would have helped sustain people of the settlement more than 300 years ago.
Protesters have been outside the development site on Great South Road, owned by the Perry Group, for more than 30 days trying to raise awareness of the problem.
A meeting with the district council was set for Wednesday but then cancelled, triggering yesterday’s hikoi.
During the speeches at the council offices, Huirama said the hapu¯ would not wait for another meeting invitation.
‘‘So today we are issuing our own notice for the council to meet with us, next Friday.
‘‘The challenge is for the council to come to the table with mana whenua in the spirit of being a good Treaty partner, to look at how we can protect this whenua.
‘‘It should be returned to the community as a reserve to be enjoyed by all.
‘‘We want to meet with the minister Nanaia Mahuta, the mayor, the CEO and the Perry Group, start from there and let the conversation flow.’’
Mayor Allan Sanson did not front the crowd but instead that responsibility was left to the council’s chief executive Gavin Ion.
Ion immediately accepted the offer to meet but was unsure if the mayor could attend.
Later, in an email, the council’s communication manager Jacob Quinn said Sanson had a ‘‘specialist medical appointment’’ on Friday and is having minor surgery next week.
He was unsure if the mayor could make next Friday’s hui.
Ion said purchasing the site, where remnants of the mara kai were, was one option.
Huirama said the hapu felt the council had not recognised its mana whenua status, particularly around the protection of Pukeia¯ hua maunga.
The River Terraces site was grazed by cattle for about 50 years before it was sold to the Perry Group.
Huirama contested that when the land status was changed from rural to residential, the council should have investigated whether it had historical importance.
‘‘That would mean consulting with mana whenua, which hasn’t been done.’’
Huirama said the hapu had met three times with the Perry Group. It’s understood work on the development had been put on hold.
‘‘The challenge is for the council to come to the table with mana whenua in the spirit of being a good Treaty partner, to look at how we can protect this whenua’’.
Kimai Huirama