November 23, 2022
Waitemata board kicks for touch on Erebus Memorial
The Waitemata Local Board has deferred a decision about extending the consent to build the controversial Erebus Memorial until it receives a report from the Chief Ombudsman on the consent process.
In a four hour session yesterday, it heard from Ngati Whatua kuia Dame Rangimarie Glavish, who led an occupation of the site in Parnell’s Dove Meyer Robinson Park to prevent work starting.
She says she wants to protect Te Ha, the ancient pohutukawa which stands on the site of an ancient pa known as Mataharehare or Taurarua.
Culture and Heritage chief executive Laulu Mac Leauana told the board it can only make an operational decision about when construction starts, and the crown will use the powers of the state to force construction work to resume.
Waitemata ward councillor Mike Lee encouraged the board to withdraw landowner consent.
He said it needed to stay close to the community, which has said no to the siting of the memorial.