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November 01, 2021
Tauranga surplus land available for tangata whenua
Adam Gifford
Posted On November 1, 2021
Download AudioTauranga City Council is looking at its property holdings to see what may be covered by a new policy to offer mana whenua a right of first refusal over surplus land.
Chief commissioner Anne Tolley says it was a policy the previous council debated for several years without reaching agreement, which the commissioners picked up and talked through with a representative group of iwi and hapū.
She says ratepayer interests are protected because the land will be offered at fair market value.
It is just a recognition of the long and rich history Tauranga has. It’s recognition of the significance of the whenua to local iwi and hapū and the fact they have given up much over the years for the development of Tauranga,” Ms Tolley says.
It’s likely the first parcels could be available next year, once the council has assessed future housing and infrastructure needs.
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