The Hastings District Council is working with stakeholders to review the options presented by Craggy Range Winery at a meeting held with stakeholders on Monday 7 May, as well as other ideas presented by the community.

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst says with our partners Craggy Range Winery, Iwi and the community we are carefully assessing a number of options to find the best outcome for the eastern face of Te Mata Peak. “Whatever option we consider we must include cultural awareness, recreational access and environmental protection of this much loved outstanding landscape.”

The Mayor says we will undertake a cultural assessment which is critical to the full understanding of Ngāti Kahungunu’s perspective.

Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana says that a cultural audit is timely and will reveal what iwi have been concerned about from day one.

Council has brought together a team of independent advisors to start the first phase of assessing all the options prepared by Craggy Range Winery, and a number of other options submitted to them.

This team consists of independent experts with a range of skills and experience in relevant areas, such as a landscape architect, a cultural advisor, planning, policy and consenting experts, and also recreational planning advisors.

The options will be considered against the cultural, recreational and other technical information gathered by Council over the next few months.

The next phase will involve consultation with a view to reaching an option which meets all of the community interests identified and can be implemented and supported by a wide cross section of the community.

Craggy Range Winery Chief Executive Michael Wilding says he’s pleased to see Mayor Hazlehurst showing leadership on the matter and says he is looking forward to working alongside iwi, Council and other stakeholder to find a solution.

Te Mata Park Trust Board chair Mike Devonshire says the board is very supportive of this process aimed at finding a solution that reflects all perspectives and interests in the community.

Chair of the Te Mata Peak Peoples’ Track Society Incorporated, George Williams says that the Society also welcomes working alongside the other stakeholders to identify solutions consistent with its objectives, on an informed and rational basis. That real leadership, respect for all parties and transparency must be shown.

Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst says the discussion we are having around Te Mata Peak is a huge opportunity for our community. “It is an opportunity for us to not only gain a deeper understanding of Te Mata Peak and what it means to us, but also an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of what we mean to each other.”

“I encourage the community to come together and unite behind a constructive way forward to a positive solution.”

ENDS.

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