November 08, 2021
Te Ātiawa leaders back Shelly Bay JV
An occupation which has prevented development of a former defence base at Shelly Bay on Wellington Harbour could be near its end.
Nicholson Block Settlement Trust chair Holden Hohaia says Te Ātiawa leaders in Wellington have expressed their support for the Shelly Bay Taikuru a joint venture with The Wellington Company because of the significant benefits it will deliver for current and future descendants.
He says they have asked the protestors at Shelly Bay to end their occupation so we can take back our whenua.
Former Mau Whenua protester Paora Mepham, who is now on the Port Nicholson board, says having learned more about the chain of events leading up to PNBST’s decision to sell the whenua to The Wellington Company, and being involved in negotiating the resulting commercial partnership, he now backs the project.
He says the partnership honours the three pou at Marukaikuru and is true to the strategic direction of Taranaki Whānui ki Te Ūpoko o te Ika.
It’s time for the protestors to quit their occupation and allow developers to get on with building houses
Shelly Bay Limited has served the occupants at Shelly Bay with notice to vacate the whenua, giving them seven days to leave the site, which includes several earthquake-prone and condemned buildings.
Mr Hohaia says tribal leaders acknowledge not everyone will agree with the development, but the tribe has a mandate to grow its assets for the benefit of future generations.