June 13, 2024
Tauranga commissioners farewelled with thanks from mana whenua
The commissioners who have been running Tauranga for the past four years have been farewelled by tangata whenua as the city prepares to elect a new council.
Historian and Ngai Tamarawaho elder Buddy Mikaere says it was fitting the commission led by former National minister Ann Tolley started and ended its work on marae.
He told Radio Waatea host Shane Te Pou it has gone out of its way to ensure iwi and hapu were brought into the work of the council, including the rebuild of the civic centre with a museum, library and council chambers in the shape of a giant wharenui.
“So pleased the opportunity has been taken to restore the mana whenua to my hapu in particular. The land where all this is happening usd to be our land but it has been returned to us. It’s now owned jointly by the council and ourselves. That’s a huge step. We’ve been fighting that for over 10 years,” Mr Mikaere says.
For the first time there’s a Maori ward up for grabs at next month’s election.