The community group SOUL (Save Our Unique Landscape) battling against Fletcher plans to build 480 luxury houses on stolen Māori land at Ihumātao, will hold a rally and protest outside the Fletcher Headquarters at 810 Great South Rd, Penrose at midday on Friday 16th February.

SOUL has been fighting since 2015 against the proposal that was consented under the provisions of the failed Special Housing Area Act 2013 that allowed fast-track planning and barred community consultation, bypassing the deep concerns of thousands of people.

Spokesperson Brendan Corbett said: “SOUL is encouraging all our friends to turn out on Friday to help us give this foreign-owned corporation the message that their shocking management and money-wasting processes are not wanted at Ihumātao."

He also stated that, "Fletcher can add the proposed Ihumātao development to its list of badly thought out, badly-managed and financially-disastrous projects."

SOUL is working with mana whenua, the community, central and local government to find a widely-agreed solution that can protect the special character and values of Ihumātao for future generations.

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