Lake Activist Happy With Decision

Mr Taueki, activist for Horowhenua Lake, is happy that the Maori land court yesterday dismissed an application by the Department of Conservation, supported by the Horowhenua District Council, for a temporary lease to be given to the rowing and sailing clubs to continue to exclusively occupy buildings at the lake.

Mr Taueki opposed the application. He has consistently argued that the clubs had been contributing to lake pollution.

He maintains that the leases for the buildings, which expired at least 6 years ago have been rolled over when there was no power to do so and the Court of Appeal had noted this fact.

This meant that ownership of the physical buildings now reverted to the underlying Maori landowners and they should be available for all the public to use and not just the clubs.

Judge Lane Harvey ruled that the Maori Land Court had no power to order a temporary lease.

In comments made during the hearing the Judge wondered why in this day in age this Maori land was being managed by a domain board and the owners themselves were not more directly involved.

Mr Taueki said he was pleased with the outcome and his lawyer will be filing with the court a suggested process for what should happen now that exclusive rights no longer apply and the clubs have to share the buildings.

ENDS

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