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Northland hapū Ngāti Kahu Ō Torongare is fighting for the preservations of the landscape round the Hikurangi Swamp.
Kaumatua Richard Shepherd says draining, fencing and housing developments have put pressure on the tribal centre, and its maunga Parekiore has had a road built up in and vegetation cleared.
He says the hapū wants the Whangarei District Council to change its development policies to reflect Treaty of Waitangi principles and acknowledge significant Māori sites.
Council Māori liaison officer Solomon Tipene says it has already registered significant sites for Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Hine and Patuharakeke, and registers will be developed this year for Ngāti Kahu ō Torongare, Parawhau and other Whangarei Māori.
These will be attached to the district plan so any development on the sites would require consultation with Māori.
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