April 02, 2024
Novel argument wins landfill reprieve
Ngāti Hako gathered at Tirohia Marae between Paeroa and Te Aroha on Sunday to celebrate an Environment Court decision blocking a new landfill on their maunga Te Rae o Te Papa.
The court dismissed an appeal by Waste Management and upheld the decision by Hauraki District Council and Waikato Regional Council to refuse consent for the dump.
Kaumatua Napa Otimi says in what’s a landmark finding, the 107-page decision reflects Ngati Hako’s belief that there is no separation between the hapu and the taiao.
“We debunked a host of experts, both in pakeha science and there were two co-called cultural advisors the company paid for, we debunked all their evidence because they are not from our land at Te Rae o Te Papa,” he says.
Mr Otimi says lawyers for other iwi have indicated they’re keen to see if the Ngati Hako argument can be applied to other cases.