October 17, 2017
Stonefields development sign off challenged
The group Save Our Unique Landscape is off to the the Environment Court to appeal a decision clearing the way for a housing development at Ihumatao.
Spokesperson Pania Newton says in approving the destruction of 800 years of archaeological history in the area near Auckland international Airport, Heritage New Zealand has failed to fulfill its role of preserving such sites.
She says the area should have been protected as public open space as the old Manukau City Council intended.
The failure by government and Auckland Council top fix the mistake made by designating Ihumatao a special housing area meant the community had to take its battle to other forums, including the United Nations and the courts.
"Every day we are on that whenua, we are winning and making headway because we keep raising awereness. By being there we are able rto preserve the whenua and tell the stories, share the heritage with our visitors and be on this very significant landscape," Ms Newton says.
She expects the Environment Court appeal could drag into next year.
Copyright © 2017, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com