South Waikato District Council is speaking with Raukawa, the iwi who carry mana and responsibility for the hapū currently occupying part of Lake Whakamaru Reserve.

Since early November, Lake Whakamaru Reserve has been partly occupied by members of Ngāti Te Kohera. The occupation is not against any act or omission on the part of the Council, but in respect of a plan change sought by a private owner.

Council supports the group’s right to peaceful protest and is focused on addressing immediate safety concerns, which centre on the presence of an uncontained fire and unleashed dogs, alongside the need to maintain safe public access to the site.

Following an in-person discussion with the group earlier this month, Council’s Cultural Advisor has been in communication with Raukawa leadership and local kaumatua.

“As a Council we understand the cultural sensitivity required on this matter and are subsequently working with Raukawa as the appropriate conduit to the occupation group,” South Waikato District Chief Executive Susan Law said.

“It is critical that Raukawa lead this kōrero with their hapū, and we are committed to working proactively with them as an iwi partner.

“I am pleased to say that our discussions and interactions with Ngāti Te Kohera to date have been respectful and co-operative across the board.”

While a bylaw prohibits uncontained fires at the site, Council has granted a temporary exemption to the group in acknowledgement of the cultural custom of keeping a fire (ahi kā) going at the site.

This does not enable other open fires to be started within the Reserve and in such cases Council will proceed with the usual compliance process.

In the meantime, the public continues to have access to the Reserve and its amenities.

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