April 08, 2016
Pa-wrecking quarry shut down
Independent commissioners acting for Waikato Regional Council have turned down an application for consents to re-open a quarry local iwi say is on an historic pa site.
Commissioners Peter Crawford and Shane Solomon said it was highly probable Hangahanga Pa was located within the Pukeatua quarry site just south of Maungatautari.
Raukawa Charitable Trust, Parawera Marae, Ngati Koroki Kahukura and Ngati Haua opposed the consents.
The commissioners said when the original consent was granted in 1997 by Waipa District Council, it identified the pa as requiring archaeological protection.
But no investigation or protection was undertaken before quarrying commenced, and a significant portion of what was thought to be the pa site was destroyed.
The remnant hill site remains an outstanding physical feature but it would not survive further quarrying.
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