Listen Now: 
Download AudioA Tuhoe kaumatua says the iwi’s post-settlement governance entity failed to consult on a decision to demolish tramping huts in Te Urewera.
Paki Nikora led a march yesterday to Te Uru Taumatua’s headquarters in Taneatua to protest what he calls the desecration of the 48 back country huts.
He says it’s creating a major safety risk for forest users.
“They say the huts are rat-infested. That may be the case but when it was under DOC they controlled it but when Te Urewera came because to Te Urewera Board under TeUru Taumatua, well that’s their problem. If they’re rat-infested then fix it up because any hut is better than no hut when you’re in Te Urewera,” he says.
Paki Nikora says the Minister of Conservation and her department are wrong to accept Te Uru Taumatua’s assurances it has iwi support for the move.
RELATED NEWS
