Listen Now: 
It’s not quite a gift horse but Te Atiawa is looking very closely at the properties it will have a chance to buy as part of its raupatu treaty settlement.
Among the 51 sites are the former New Plymouth Prison grounds on Robe St and the old Barrett St hospital grounds.
Liana Poutu, the chair of Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa, says the iwi won’t be able to complete its diligence until after the settlement legislation is passed some time next year.
She says the sites represent important development opportunities for the city, but they also have historical and cultural importance, with the hospital built on an old pa site.
"One of the biggest ones for us with some of the properties and specificially the landbanked properties is the liabilities they carry. Thay have some demolition orders on some of the buildings, there's asbestos, we have to look at what that means for us as well," she says.
Liana Poutu says a hui this Sunday is the start of a series designed to develop a strategic direction for the iwi, after which it can firm up its investment strategy.
Copyright © 2015, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
RELATED NEWS
