Historic Waitara Lands Act ceremony at Owae Marae

A side agreement to the Waitara Lands Act (passed by Parliament in December last year) has been signed at Owae Marae in Waitara today. The Act opens up leasehold land for purchase at 770 Waitara properties valued at about $90 million. Leaseholders will be able to buy their leased land when the Act comes into effect on 17 March.

The side agreement to the Act sets a framework for how NPDC and Te Kōwhatu Tū Moana (TKTM) Trust, consisting of Manukorihi and Otaraua hapū, will work together. The proceeds from the land sales will be divided into three funds for the benefit of Waitara:

• A ring-fenced Hapū Land Fund. TKTM will decide how this fund will be distributed.

• The Waitara Perpetual Community Fund will be set up to help support community projects in Waitara. TKTM and NPDC will each appoint three of the six members of the board.

• A fund to support the Waitara River and environmental projects, managed by iwi and hapū with interests in the river and the Taranaki Regional council.

New Plymouth District Mayor Neil Holdom and Councillor Colin Johnston signed the agreement at Owae Marae on Saturday 9 March on behalf of NPDC.

“This agreement will be part of the engine that drives the implementation of the Waitara Lands Act; the way NPDC and the hapū will work together. Hapū leaders have worked tirelessly for their people over many decades to address this historic grievance which is a stain on New Zealand’s history. The Act isn’t perfect but it’s the best solution while ensuring NPDC meets its financial obligations to all of its 80,000 residents and at the same time laying a platform for the Waitara township to really thrive. It’s my view that Waitara is going to take off over the next decade with the walkway and infrastructure improvements we have planned, the positive impacts of the Act and the stronger relationships we have built through this process,” says Mayor Holdom.

The agreement marks an important step in the journey for Manukorihi and Otaraua hapū, said TKTM Chair Jamie Tuuta.

“Te Kōwhatu Tū Moana trust on behalf of the hapū is looking forward to working with NPDC over the coming months to realise the potential of the Act for the two hapū and the broader Waitara community. We have much work before us and are excited by the opportunity for Manukorihi and Otaraua.”

ENDS

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