Vol. 79/No. 33      September 21, 2015

The disputed land is situated between the Otuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve and Ihumatao, a Maori village of 80 households gathered around their meeting place, the Makaurau Marae.

It was confiscated by the government in 1863 and became a privately owned farm. The whole area, which includes ancestral burial caves, is significant because Maori have lived there continuously for over 1,000 years.

The government has designated the land as a Special Housing Area, which allows for fast-track construction. Fletcher Residential purchased the land in 2014 and plans to build 480 houses.

Save Our Unique Landscape representatives called on the council to withdraw its support for this designation, presenting a 4,000-signature petition.

Te Warena Taua, chair of the Maori Trust that oversees Makaurau Marae, said Maori had long fought to preserve land and water rights at Ihumatao, but concluded, “We are unable to get the SHA overturned.” He said Fletcher Residential had agreed to return a portion of the land, and that Maori would be able to buy some of the new houses.

McFarland responded that most people in this working-class area could not afford them. “Lots of us in Ihumatao don’t own our homes but rent,” she said.

Save Our Unique Landscape proposes an alternative block that could be developed. This would require the agreement of both the municipal council and the New Zealand government.

The council voted 12-5 against revoking support for the Special Housing Area. “The fight will continue,” declared Pania Newton of the Unique Landscape group, as she led supporters out to the waiting buses back to Ihumatao.  
 
 
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