February 24, 2013
Tuwharetoa strikes Ironman deal
Ngāti Tuwharetoa has reached a settlement with organisers of next weekend’s Taupo Ironman about the use of their lake.
Tuwharetoa chair John Bishara says the terms were confidential, but the relationship between the board and Ironman New Zealand was important to both parties and Taupo.
The tribe allows recreational use of the lake, but sought a fee to cover commercial use.
Ironman charges entrants about $800, and the proposed fee was about 5 percent of that.
Mr Bishara says Lake Taupo is a tāonga to Ngāti Tuwharetoa and has provided for its people over many generations, so revenue from commercial activities will be invested back into its people.
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