Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
MP for Maungakiekie

02 August 2013 Media Statement

Re-planting on One Tree Hill/Maungakiekie takes step forward

The re-planting of One Tree Hill/Maungakiekie is a step closer after Parliament passed the first reading of legislation to settle Auckland iwi’s collective interests in the Tāmaki Makaurau region’s iconic volcanic cones, Maungakiekie Member of Parliament, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga said.

“This is fantastic news. One Tree Hill/Maungakiekie is culturally significant to both local iwi and to all Aucklanders.

The House of Representatives voted unanimously on Thursday to pass the Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Collective Settlement Bill. The bill now goes to the Māori Affairs Select Committee.

When it is passed by Parliament, which is likely to be by the end of the year, it will vest 14 of Auckland’s maunga (volcanic cones) in a collective of 13 iwi and hapū and legislates, and they will be co-governed between iwi and the Auckland Council for the benefit of all the people of Auckland.

The Auckland Council has previously stated that no trees would be planted to replace the pinus radiata which previously stood atop One Tree Hill/Maungakiekie until all outstanding grievances over the hill had been settled.

“The re-planting of One Tree Hill/Maungakiekie is something that local residents strongly support and I will continue to advocate for,” Mr Lotu-Iiga said.

ENDS

Notes on bill:

Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Collective Settlement Bill
This bill gives effect to the to the deed between Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau (Tāmaki Collective) and the Crown for collective redress in relation to specific maunga (volcanic cones), motu (islands) and lands within Tāmaki Makaurau over which the iwi/hapū have shared interests.
Iwi/hapū in the Tāmaki Collective are Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāti Tamaoho, Ngāti Tamaterā, Ngāti Te Ata, Ngāti Whanaunga, Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara, Ngāti Whatua Ōrākei, Te Ākitai Waiohua, Te Kawerau ā Maki, Te Patukirikiri and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua. The collective redress forms part of each individual iwi/hapū Treaty settlement.

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