November 10, 2020
Ihumaatao talks close to bearing fruit
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff is hoping for a speedy resolution to the stand off at Ihumaatao now what he calls the New Zealand First handbrake has come off.
The various stakeholders have resumed talks since the election, with Fletcher Building head Ross Taylor also expressing cautious optimism to Radio New Zealand.
Opposition from New Zealand First to any outcome that could undermine the treaty settlement process has meant some options had to be discarded by the previous Government.
Mr Goff says Auckland Council is leaving it to be sorted out by the crown and mana whenua, with help from the Kiingitanga, but it does have some preferences.
"We want to see the character of Ihumaatao as the longest inhabited place in Tāmaki Makaurau retained, and maybe some Māori housing and some more public open space. I am hoping those negotiations will bear fruit before too long," he says.
Phil Goff says the city’s other occupation, the year-long encampment at Ōwairaka-Mount Albert, is currently awaiting for a judgment from the High Court, so there is no opportunity to discuss a compromise solution.
Copyright © 2020, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com