September 16, 2015
Tangata whenua and Lake Horowhenua users can co exist
One of the traditional owners of Lake Horowhenua says she wants to see tangata whenua co-exist with other lake users like the rowing and sailing clubs.
A group of about 20 people occupied the sailing club on Sunday in the latest move in what has been a drawn out protest to have the rights of Mua Upoko to the lake recognised.
They say the clubs are occupying their land illegally, and they want them out.
Bonnie Packer says she joined the rowing club when she moved back to the area three years ago, and she thinks there is room for compromise.
"If we have got something that is happening on any of our Maori land and it's good for our tamariki and it's good for our kaumatua and it's good for our community and they are not at all intruding or violating the land and disrespecting that I believe with us owners supporting all of them and working together that there should be no reason why they have to leave" she says.
Bonnie Packer says she finds the level of abuse involved in the protests distressing, but she wants to negotiate a solution.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH BONNIE PACKER CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MzI1MDQ=
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