November 11, 2013
Ruapehu report ready for release
Pressure will come on the Government to address long standing grievances over Tongariro National Park with the release of the Waitangi Tribunal’s final report tomorrow.
Ngati Tuwharetoa, Ngati Rangi and Whanganui River tribes will host the tribunal and Crown representatives at the Chateau Tongariro to receive Te Kahui Maunga – the National Park district inquiry report.
A draft published last Christmas Eve found that what Horonuku te Heuheu was trying to do in 1887 was not gift the mountains of the central plateau to the Crown but to establish a partnership to manage and protect them.
The report also covers the land taken in 1964 for the Tongariro hydro scheme, and its effect on customary rights to water, fisheries and geothermal resources.
Whanganui iwi are particularly concerned anout the diversion of many of the headwaters of the Whanganui River into the Tongariro Power Development.
Copyright © 2013, UMA Broadcasting Ltd