November 02, 2020
Council agrees to return Matakana Island whenua
Tauranga Moana iwi are celebrating Western Bay District Council’s decision to return 172 hectares at the eastern end of Matakana Island to five Ngāi Te Rangi hapū.
Kaumatua Hauata Palmer says after years of negotiation, when it came time for the vote even councillors who had previously been opposed swung in behind the decision.
Panepane Point, also known as Purakau,was taken in the 1920s under the Public Works Act for harbour development.
Mr Palmer says the old harbour board and its council successor had the land in pines, even though that was not suitable for erosion control.
"They’ve had all those pine trees and the product from them, exporting logs, made money from it, but it hasn't really done anything for the coastline. Only a small part of it, probably a half an acre, is used for the shipping beacons to guide the ships in through the channel," he says.
Public access will be guaranteed by setting aside 7 hectares in reserve, consisting of a 20 metre strip above the high water mark.
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