March 05, 2013
Mana whenua concern heeded in Kapiti Expressway
The Environmental Protection Agency says mana whenua concerns have been accommodated in plans for the new Kapiti expressway, and in some cases the conditions it will impose to improve things from a Māori perspective.
The agency, which was set up by the National Government to allow fast track consideration of major projects, has given the green light to the $600 million four lane road from McKays Crossing to Peka Peka.
The Labour and Green parties and environmentalists say the project simply doesn’t stack up economically, environmentally or socially.
Te Ati Awa ki Whakarongotai and the Takamore Trust objected to the route, which will run through an urupa and wāhi tapū and require the purchase of some of the remaining Maori land in the area.
The EPA says the cultural effects of the project are finely balanced.
It says the New Zealand Transport Agency is seeking to develop a long term relationship with the iwi and the trust.
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