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August 24, 2023
Ngāi Tai settlement leader James Brown a champion for his people
Adam Gifford
Posted On August 24, 2023
Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki is mourning the sudden death yesterday of former chair James Brown, who led the east Auckland iwi through its treaty settlement negotiations.
Mr Brown stepped down last year, but remained as managing director if its land development arm.
Under his watch the small iwi took on large developments at Middlemore, Mangere Rd, Unitec, Clevedon and Beachlands.
It also put together a consortium allowing it to exercise its right to buy the land under Mcleans College in Howick.
Mr Brown took the Department of Conservation to the Supreme Court over tourism concessions on Rangitoto and Motutapu, setting an important precedent for post-settlement iwi.
He will be at his home today and tomorrow and will be taken to Umupuia Marae near Maraetai on Friday or Saturday.
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