August 06, 2019
Auckland Council looks to extend stonefields reserve
Auckland Council is looking at adding land to the Ōtuataua Stonefields Reserve, but not the land being contested by Mana Whenua and Save Our Unique Landscape members.
Mayor Phil Goff says the council owns the 8 hectare Rennie Block at Ihumātao, which includes pasture and an historic homestead adjoining the stonefields.
It's also next to the 38 hectare Wallace Block, which is now owned by Fletcher Housing.
He says the council has been asked to take a step back while the Kiingitanga tries to find common ground between the mana whenua mandated leadership group and other mana whenua members, but if public open space is the issue, the council can help.
"We'll do more on Ōtuataua to emphasise the importance of this area and there is talk of Fletcher building a cultural centre there. I think would be a great thing to tell the story of the area, of the whenua. We just now want the sides to talk to each other and say 'this is where we are at the moment, where can we move forward together.' That would be the best outcome," Mr Goff says.
Auckland Council could not afford to buy the Wallace Block from Fletcher, given the need for public open space in other parts of the city, and its hands are also tied by an Environment Court judgment designating the land for housing.
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