Ngati Awa pa damaged by council
A Ngati Awa member says the Whakatane District Council has displayed titanic ignorance in destroying parts of a historic Puketapu Pa for which it has been fined $9000.
Maanu Paul of Ngati Awa says his iwi is humiliated by the desecration of the pre-European Pa near Whakatane.
Puketapu Pa is located just above the Whakatane township and was established before the settling of the area by Mataatua waka.
It is said to be one of many Pa belonging to founding Maori ancestor Toikairakau who migrated to Aotearoa around 1150.
He says the Council dug 32 post holes around the Pa without obtaining archaeological authority from the Historic Places Trust.
Mr Paul says the Hara committed to this sacred site is hard to digest.
"This is actually an act of genocide, removing me, my identity, they've taken away our legacy. That's an act of genocide. It's terrible," Mr Paul says.
He is calling for the dismissal of Council chief executive Diane Turner.
TE ARAI PARK PURCHASE COULD PUSH UP RATES FOR PAKIRI TANGATA WHENUA
A Pakiri kaumatua fears the Auckland Regional Council's $4 million dollar purchase of land at Te Arai Point at the northern end of the beach could put further pressure on Maori landowners.
The council is buying the land from troubled Hanover Finance, which had a mortgage over a planned eco-lodge development on the 50 hectare block.
Laly Haddon says as one of the nearest unspoiled beaches to Auckland, land values at Pakiri are heading ever upward.
"It's all to do with valuations and rates. There's no Maori land sold, so it doesn't create a value. It's only European and, they pick up their money and go, and those values are reflected on Maori land, so something has to be done. You can't just can't meet your commitments unless you develop. But of course you can't now develop, because you've got very restrictive zones on Maori land," Mr Haddon says.
He says Maori landowners preserve a lot of sensitive land for the national benefit, at their own cost.
TAKITIMU FESTIVAL COMING UP
The general manager of Maori arts promotion organisation Toi Maori says the organisation will work alongside those promoting the Takitimu Festival being held later in the year.
Garry Nicholas says renowned ta moko artists Derek Lardelli and Mark Kopua will speak on contemporary ta moko, and award winning writer Witi Ihimaera will also be invited to speak.
He says Maori artists across the board are keen to get involved in the inaugural Takitimu Festival.
"Nga waka federation with Hector Busby and Ben Mamaku to korero to the Samoans and the many other cultures that have a Takitimu connection. The Takitimu Festival will also be hosting the Maori music awards and we certainly want to be there to tautoko that," Mr Nicholas says.
The festival will take place in the Hawkes Bay from 12 to 16 November.
IWI FURIOUS AT WHAKATANE PA DESTRUCTION
Ngati Awa are furious at a lack of consultation from the local council which has left a historical Pa ruined.
Maanu Paul says the Whakatane District Council desecrated Puketapu Pa, north of Whakatane, out of ignorance and failed to acknowledge the mana whenua of Ngati Awa.
The council was charged and fined over $9000 under the Historic Places Act for failing to gain archaeological permission before digging 32 post holes on the Pa.
Mr Paul says not only have they disregarded the Historic Places Trust, Ngati Awa have had no say or compensation.
He said someone should pay - preferably the chief executive, Diane Turner.
The pre-European Pa was home to Toikairakau, a founding ancestor of the iwi.
COUNCIL DEFENDS CONSULTATION DESPITE PA SLIP
However the Whakatane District Council says they're relationship with Ngati Awa is strong... despite council workers destroying part of historic Puketapu Pa.
Diane Turner, the CEO, acknowledges there was a miscommunication within the council and a lack of appropriate systems... which they have moved to fix.
Ms Turner says the council was trying to address an issue of public safety by replacing an aging fence... and that there was no intent to damage the pre-European pa
"We have a very good and long-standing relationship with Ngati Awa and we will work through the runanga and as appropriate work with hapu, depending on what the project is. In terms of this particular project, we had been working with Ngati Awa on the design of the fence and once we recognised we made an error we went back and worked closely with Ngati Awa ti mitigate what happened with us digging the post holes on the site," Ms Turner says.
She says the council they indicated from the outset that they would plead guility... and they've taken steps to make sure such an event doesn't happen in the future.
SPECIAL CLOAK FOR OLYMPIC FLAG-BEARER
A korowai made for the Olympic flagbearer is adding a special Maori touch to tonight's opening ceremony in Beijing... and a small headache for Kiwi organisers
Beatrice Faumuina wore the korowai... which was handmade by Tainui weavers and presented by the late Maori Queen Dame Te Ataairangikaahu... in Athens four years ago.
Tonight it's Mahe Drysdale turn.
Amster Reedy from Ngati Porou who is in Beijing to support the athletes says Mahe's spare, tall frame, which is perfect for rowing, is posing a slight challenge in putting it on the rower.
Maanu Paul of Ngati Awa says his iwi is humiliated by the desecration of the pre-European Pa near Whakatane.
Puketapu Pa is located just above the Whakatane township and was established before the settling of the area by Mataatua waka.
It is said to be one of many Pa belonging to founding Maori ancestor Toikairakau who migrated to Aotearoa around 1150.
He says the Council dug 32 post holes around the Pa without obtaining archaeological authority from the Historic Places Trust.
Mr Paul says the Hara committed to this sacred site is hard to digest.
"This is actually an act of genocide, removing me, my identity, they've taken away our legacy. That's an act of genocide. It's terrible," Mr Paul says.
He is calling for the dismissal of Council chief executive Diane Turner.
TE ARAI PARK PURCHASE COULD PUSH UP RATES FOR PAKIRI TANGATA WHENUA
A Pakiri kaumatua fears the Auckland Regional Council's $4 million dollar purchase of land at Te Arai Point at the northern end of the beach could put further pressure on Maori landowners.
The council is buying the land from troubled Hanover Finance, which had a mortgage over a planned eco-lodge development on the 50 hectare block.
Laly Haddon says as one of the nearest unspoiled beaches to Auckland, land values at Pakiri are heading ever upward.
"It's all to do with valuations and rates. There's no Maori land sold, so it doesn't create a value. It's only European and, they pick up their money and go, and those values are reflected on Maori land, so something has to be done. You can't just can't meet your commitments unless you develop. But of course you can't now develop, because you've got very restrictive zones on Maori land," Mr Haddon says.
He says Maori landowners preserve a lot of sensitive land for the national benefit, at their own cost.
TAKITIMU FESTIVAL COMING UP
The general manager of Maori arts promotion organisation Toi Maori says the organisation will work alongside those promoting the Takitimu Festival being held later in the year.
Garry Nicholas says renowned ta moko artists Derek Lardelli and Mark Kopua will speak on contemporary ta moko, and award winning writer Witi Ihimaera will also be invited to speak.
He says Maori artists across the board are keen to get involved in the inaugural Takitimu Festival.
"Nga waka federation with Hector Busby and Ben Mamaku to korero to the Samoans and the many other cultures that have a Takitimu connection. The Takitimu Festival will also be hosting the Maori music awards and we certainly want to be there to tautoko that," Mr Nicholas says.
The festival will take place in the Hawkes Bay from 12 to 16 November.
IWI FURIOUS AT WHAKATANE PA DESTRUCTION
Ngati Awa are furious at a lack of consultation from the local council which has left a historical Pa ruined.
Maanu Paul says the Whakatane District Council desecrated Puketapu Pa, north of Whakatane, out of ignorance and failed to acknowledge the mana whenua of Ngati Awa.
The council was charged and fined over $9000 under the Historic Places Act for failing to gain archaeological permission before digging 32 post holes on the Pa.
Mr Paul says not only have they disregarded the Historic Places Trust, Ngati Awa have had no say or compensation.
He said someone should pay - preferably the chief executive, Diane Turner.
The pre-European Pa was home to Toikairakau, a founding ancestor of the iwi.
COUNCIL DEFENDS CONSULTATION DESPITE PA SLIP
However the Whakatane District Council says they're relationship with Ngati Awa is strong... despite council workers destroying part of historic Puketapu Pa.
Diane Turner, the CEO, acknowledges there was a miscommunication within the council and a lack of appropriate systems... which they have moved to fix.
Ms Turner says the council was trying to address an issue of public safety by replacing an aging fence... and that there was no intent to damage the pre-European pa
"We have a very good and long-standing relationship with Ngati Awa and we will work through the runanga and as appropriate work with hapu, depending on what the project is. In terms of this particular project, we had been working with Ngati Awa on the design of the fence and once we recognised we made an error we went back and worked closely with Ngati Awa ti mitigate what happened with us digging the post holes on the site," Ms Turner says.
She says the council they indicated from the outset that they would plead guility... and they've taken steps to make sure such an event doesn't happen in the future.
SPECIAL CLOAK FOR OLYMPIC FLAG-BEARER
A korowai made for the Olympic flagbearer is adding a special Maori touch to tonight's opening ceremony in Beijing... and a small headache for Kiwi organisers
Beatrice Faumuina wore the korowai... which was handmade by Tainui weavers and presented by the late Maori Queen Dame Te Ataairangikaahu... in Athens four years ago.
Tonight it's Mahe Drysdale turn.
Amster Reedy from Ngati Porou who is in Beijing to support the athletes says Mahe's spare, tall frame, which is perfect for rowing, is posing a slight challenge in putting it on the rower.
posted by Adam | 7:46 pm
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