15 July 2004

Te Pa development moves to next stage

At a meeting on 10 June, the Ngati Whatua o Orakei Reserves Board acknowledged the developers of Te Pa, a Maori tourism development, had made significant changes to the development plans to reduce the scale and impact on the Whenua Rangatira.

Acting reserves board chairperson Councillor Juliet Yates said the board recognised and supported the changes the developers had made.

As a result, the developers of Te Pa will to move to the next stage of the development, to seek resource consent.

“Over the years, Auckland City Council and Ngati Whatua have developed a partnership based on mutual respect and understanding and appreciation of the significance of the Whenua Rangatira,” said Ms Yates.

Background

Oceania Attractions applied to the reserves board for a lease on land to develop a Maori cultural centre called ‘Te Pa’ in the middle of last year.

After an extensive public submission and hearing process with hapu and the community, the reserves board found that the proposed development did not comply with what was foreseen for the land in the Reserve Management Plan and the District Plan.

The developers amended the plans to ensure less disturbance to the land.

The reserves board serves as guardian of Whenua Rangatira and works closely with the hapu to ensure this important open space is managed for the benefit of the hapu and of the public of Auckland.

The Ngati Whatua o Orakei Reserves Board is a partnership of iwi and Auckland City. It was established as a result of the Orakei Act 1991, which requires the two parties to work in partnership for the benefit of the land and the community.

ENDS

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