More than five years after the Government purchased land previously earmarked for housing at Ihumātao, a plan for what to do with the whenua remains in limbo.
A long-running protest and occupation began after Fletchers purchased the historically significant site in South Auckland in 2016.
The standoff ended in December 2020 when the previous government bought the disputed land from the construction giant for $29.9 million.
In 2021, the then government set up Te Roopū Whakahaere, a steering committee made up of local hapu Te Ahiwaru and Auckland iwi Te Kawerau ā Maki and Te Ākitai Waiohua with involvement from the Kīngitanga.
The then finance minister Grant Robertson said there would be housing at Ihumātao.
"From a taxpayer point of view, it's important to me that we now have the ability for this land to be used for housing and for other purposes too," he said at the time.
The group had until this year to work out the next steps.
But five and a half years on, Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka today told 1News a solution had yet to be found, adding that it was "a delicate situation".
"We don’t have a final resolution for the matter," Potaka said.
"That ropu has been working on this matter for nearly five years. They continue to be engaged and in discussion with me about the way forward."
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said he was "seriously disappointed" in the lack of progress.
"Worse than that, it's the absolute waste of that land and the opportunity that they once had.
"Hundreds of houses were going to be built there. It got stopped for political reasons and for those who are responsible, you can't see them for dust and small pebbles now."
There was also no indication on when an announcement on the future of the land was to be expected.
"There are matters that should be held within confidence and privately until solutions become a lot more clearer rather than pre-empting them and trying to have the debate in public with either reporters, politicians, or five and a half million Kiwis," Potaka said.
1News attempted to contact a member of the steering group but a spokesperson could not be reached.
SHARE ME