Northland iwi Ngāti Kahu have moved to occupy a site in Whatuwhiwhi, Doubtless Bay, considered a wāhi tapu. They say it's at risk of being desecrated by a local developer.
Local hapū Te Whānau Moana and Te Rorohuri said it's the last resort. In August, they sought protection from Pouhere Taonga Heritage New Zealand, erecting makeshift blockades to deny diggers access to the site known as Te Pātia o Matariki. They have been opposing any development since.
But the situation escalated after the Haititaimarangai Marae Trust received word earlier this week of movement on the ground by the developer. Hapū member Keringawai Evans said they quickly rallied soon after.
"We got notice on Monday that the police were coming on Wednesday… because Peter Hay, the developer, got the go ahead to bring his diggers back to build an easeway."
Te Karere sought a statement from Hay but he refused to comment.
Evans said they were left with two options: occupy or judicial review. "So that's where we are," she said, "that's where we are thinking — what is the best pathway so we can protect our wāhi tapu."
In a statement, Far North District Council spokesperson Nicola Griffin said the council is aware that the landowner and the marae trust are meeting to discuss the matter and that works scheduled have been suspended for now.
Te Rorohuri and Te Whānau Moana hapū plan to peacefully occupy Te Pātia o Matariki until an agreement is reached between iwi and Far North District Council to resolve the matter.
Glossary
wāhi tapu - sacred site
hapū - subtribe
iwi - tribe
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