Maori Claim on Paraparaumu Airport land going to High Court

By Alan Tristram

Kapiti Independent News has just learned that Maori claimants to much of the Paraparaumu Airport land are taking their case to the High Court.

The case will be taken under the Public Works Act 1981, with Maori claimants seeking title to
nearly 70 per cent of the lands taken in WWII for the Paraparaumu Airfield.

The airport covers about 130 hectares of land.

But the owners since 2006 -- a group of Auckland businessmen led by Noel Robinson -- have plans to use more than half the area for large-scale commercial development.

The Maori claimants in the Te Whanau a te Ngarara group have been asking for many years for the land surplus to Airport requirements to be returned to them, but without success.

They have taken their case to the Kapiti Coast District Council, to Parliament, and to the first RMA hearing, but have been turned away because those hearing them said they did not have the power to act.

The barrister for Te Whanau a te Ngarara, Mr Leo Watson, of Paekakariki, recently approached the airport owners, Paraparaumu Airport Limited (PAL), in a final bid to get them to reconsider their position.

He asked the owners to state whether they were willing to confirm they would immediately enter into talks with Maori for the return of surplus lands.

But, Mr Watson says, the airport owners have responded saying 'PAL does not regard any of the lands it owns to be surplus to requirements.'

However, the Kapiti Independent also understands Mr Watson has asked PAL to provide a written undertaking that no steps will be taken which may prejudice the rights of claimants to have their proceedings determined by the High Court.

The Independent understands this means the Maori owners are asking for a halt to any development until their case is determined.

Members of Te Whanau a te Ngarara have consistently stated that if their land is returned they will continue to support aviation activities at the airport.

Mr Watson says any proceedings in the High Court will include the Crown "given that the Crown has  held the position since (at least) 1989 that a significant portion of the land has not been required for the airport."

And under a recent RMA plan change (Plan Change 73), Mr Watson notes, the portion of' airport land defined as Airport Core has now been defined.

The Maori former  land owners -- and a group of Pakeha former owners -- have been calling for justice on the issue ever since the land was privatised by the then National Government in 1995.

Although the Pakeha group has been willing to accept a financial settlement, Maori former land owners have always held out for the return of their land.

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