November 10, 2022
Court stops burning of Urewera huts
The High Court has granted an urgent injunction stopping Te Urewera Board and Tuhoe governing board Te Uru Taumatua from destroying the remaining Conservation Department huts in Te Urewera.
Applicant Wharenui Clyde Tuna of Waimana told the court he has used the huts for recreation and gathering food since he was a child.
He said the decision to remove the huts was made in the general business section at the end of Te Uru Taumatua’s May meeting.
The Waimana representative abstained from the vote because there had been no advance notice.
Mr Tuna also pointed out that no operational plan had been prepared by Te Uru Taumatua and the Department of Conservation for the 2022 year, so the demolition is unlawful.
During October between 15 and 20 huts were demolished or burned by contractors.
Justice Woolford ordered the work to stop pending a full hearing of the case.