Joint statement: Fletcher Building and Te Kawerau Iwi Tribal Authority & Settlement Trust.

Te Warena Taua Photo Credit: Waateanews.com

Joint statement from Fletcher Building and Te Kawerau Iwi Tribal Authority & Settlement Trust.

With regards to the weekend’s ‘Reclamation Festival’ at Ihumatao, Fletcher Residential Limited, the Makaurau Marae Maori Trust Board and The Te Kawerau Iwi Settlement Trust & Tribal Authority, collectively the land owner of the Oruarangi Road SHA site and mana whenua of Ihumatao feel it is appropriate to remind the media that:

– The land at Oruarangi Road is a designated Special Housing Area, on privately-owned land that has been farmed extensively for the last 150 years. It is located between the existing village of Ihumatao, the edge of the Auckland Airport business precinct and the Otuataua Stonefields Reserve.

– Plans for the site have been developed in partnership with mana whenua in such a way that supports their sustainable kaitiakitanga of the surrounding area. This includes devoting a quarter of the site along the boundary of the Stonefields Reserve to protect and enhance connectivity, especially from the village. This piece of land within the development area will be the first time since the land confiscations of 1863 that land will be returned to mana whenua. The agreement to have this land returned to mana whenua was negotiated between Fletchers, Makaurau Marae Maori Trust and Te Kawerau Iwi Tribal Authority. Auckland City Council was consulted during this process.

– The protest group SOUL does not represent mana whenua of Ihumatao.

– Members of the United Confederation of Tribes along with members of the so called, “Kaitiaki village” do not represent mana whenua of Ihumatao.

– Pania Newton who previously led the SOUL protest group is not mana whenua nor has she been mandated to represent mana whenua of Ihumatao. Pania has wilfully misled SOUL followers and the general public regarding ‘land issues’ at Ihumatao.

– Pania, her supporters and SOUL followers continue to unlawfully occupy the privately owned site preventing the development of much needed new housing, which through the partnership between Fletcher and mandated mana whenua representation, will provide housing opportunities for descendants with whakapapa and strong cultural connections to return to the area.

Steve Evans, Chief Executive – Residential and Development, Fletcher Building Limited

Te Warena Taua N.Z.O.M., Executive Chair, Te Kawerau Iwi Tribal Authority & Settlement Trust

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