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There’s support for Ngati Paoa’s plans for Point England from neighbour Ngati Whatua Orakei.
The iwi wants to build 300 houses on 12 hectares of the 45-hectare Pt England Reserve, which it will buy from the crown at market value.
In its submission on the Point England Development Enabling Bill, the Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board says the fast track process sets a dangerous precedent by cutting across the consultation and appeal requirements in the Resource Management Act.
But Orakei spokesperson Ngarimu Blair says Ngati Paoa’s plans include much-needed social and affordable housing as well as a marae which will be a community asset.
"These are settlements to rebuild the economic capability and capacity of an iwi which we all know was destroyed. We've faced that in our recent settlement on the North Shore. Crown land was coming back and locals who said it was their reserve had been promised to them and so on, did all they could to object to our transfer as well. We understand what Ngati Paoa are going through so kaha rawa atu ki a ratou," he says.
Ngarimu Blair says it’s a sensitive development which will bring Ngati Paoa back onto the isthmus proper.
FULL INTERVIEW WITH NGARIMU BLAIR
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