April 08, 2021
Pataua taking land fight into court
A Ngāti Wai hapū is looking at legal options to block the sale of its former land at Pātaua northeast of Whangārei.
The hapū is occupying a Department of Conservation reserve next to the land, which it has been trying to get back for generations.
Member Kelly Klink says the occupation has brought up a number of complex and interconnected issues including the failure of the owners and Whangārei Council to honour promises to provide suitable road access to adjoining Māori blocks.
The court challenge could put more pressure on the vendors, who rejected an offer from the hapū to match any bids, and on the real estate agent.
"Bayleys will have to divulge to the prospective buyers that this is going into play. I have emailed Bayleys that one, they have no legal access into the whenua and two, that they haven't been forthright with the archaeological reports and the summaries," Ms Klink says.
The hapu has also erected a gate where the road crosses over Māori land, which can be closed if necessary.
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