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Owners of the Hole in the Rock are pleased with the response to their campaign to get payment from tour companies exploiting the Bay of Islands’ attraction.
That’s despite the country’s largest newspaper saying they are hurting their mana by threatening a blockade of the hole.
Motu Kokako Ahuwhenua Trust chair Rau Hoskins says action on the water is only one of a range of options the trust is considering.
He says rather than putting its mana at risk, the trust is asserting its mana after years of being trampled on by tourism operators.
The courts have found that the water flowing under the island is open sea and access can not be impeded under maritime law.
The New Zealand Herald editorial says what’s at stake is the important principle of British law that property rights stop at the tide.
Mr Hoskins says New Zealand does not automatically adopt British law when treaty rights are involved.
He says the hapu will use the Te Paparahi o te Raki treaty claim process to push for specific protection for the island.
He says visitors are keen to hear indigenous stories and perspectives, and the way that the operators are thumbing their noses at the owners reeks of 1980s behaviour that is no longer acceptable.
Trust members have been handing out leaflets in Paihia urging tourists not to take the trip to the island until the operators start paying the owners a fee.
Hr Hoskins says there is a lot of support.
On January 20 the trust marks the first anniversary of its joint venture with scenic flight operator Salt Air to offer helitours to Motu Kokako.
It has a competition on its Facebook page offering a free trip to mark the occasion.
https://www.facebook.com/motukokako
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd
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