Ngati Paoa cleared for next step in Point England project

Waateanews.com

Ngati Paoa is looking forward to making strides with its housing development at Point England now the bill allowing the sale of the reserve has passed its third reading.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff and Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board chair Josephine Bartley expressed concern at the precedent the bill sets, which Mr Goff says amounts to Building and Environment Minister Nick Smith micro-managing Auckland's future rather than giving residents the hance to have their say.

But Ngati Paoa spokesperson Hauaru Rawiri says the tribe has held back while the bill was going through parliament, but it can now talk more to the community about its plans to build 300 homes and a marae.

It also needs to negotiate with the crown about how much is has to pay for the land and how it fits in with the rest of its treaty settlement.

"Because this is treaty redress for Ngati Paoa it is all reliant on the Marautuahu Collective deed going though, the Hauraki Collective deed going through, and our own Ngati-paoa iwi-specific deed going through. It is not isolated to the build at Point England," Mr Rawiri says.

Ngati Paoa is keen to get back land with a strong ancestral connection and to start on cleaning up the Tamaki River – Te Wai Mokoia – and Omaru Stream.

HAUAURU RAWIRI INTERVIEW

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