A descendant of the original mana whenua of Tauranga City says they are happy that plans for a museum are going ahead, even though they are not being compensated for the land.
On Monday, the Tauranga City Council approved a plan for a civic whare, exhibition gallery, and museum as part of a $306 million civic upgrade.
Buddy Mikaere says it has taken decades for mana whenua Ngāi Tamarāwaho and Ngāti Tapu hapū to regain at least some of their land rights.
“We originally owned that land but it got taken off us. Then it got acquired by the church missionary society. Then it got taken off them. But they were holding it in trust on our behalf. And so we’ve managed to finally convince the council of the justice of our argument – so we ended up being half-ownership in the land,” says Mikaere.
Buddy Mikaere says this development means they once again hold mana whenua and can contribute their tikanga and history to the project.
