A decision today by Auckland Council’s Finance and Performance Committee fulfills a long-standing promise to Te Kawerau ā Maki.
The committee voted to transfer land to enable Te Kawerau ā Maki to construct a marae and papakāinga at 240A Bethells Road, Te Henga.
West councillors Penny Hulse, Linda Cooper and Ross Clow welcome the decision. They say that the transfer of the land offers the best option to develop a marae and papakāinga, and aligns with Te Kawerau's preferences.
They say this progress is important as Te Kawerau ā Maki are the only mana whenua iwi in Auckland without a marae.
The three councillors are former Waitākere City councillors and say these steps were a long time coming, and fulfill previous decisions made by the former council.
The Waitākere Ranges Local Board also supported the land transfer.
Executive Manager of Te Kawerau ā Maki, Edward Ashby, says, “Te Kawerau ā Maki welcome the decision by council to transfer the marae land set aside at Te Henga in fulfillment of the partnership agreement made with the former Waitākere City Council a decade ago."
"Te Kawerau wish in particular to acknowledge the western councillors Penny Hulse, Linda Cooper and Ross Clow as well as the Waitākere Ranges Local Board and Sandra Coney."
"The decision marks a historic moment for Te Kawerau ā Maki who were left without a marae for decades and will see the iwi strengthen their presence within their tribal heartland through the building of the new eco-marae and papakāinga, a settlement of great cultural significance. We look forward to continuing to grow a positive relationship in partnership with Auckland Council and to embracing the Te Henga and west coast community through the return of our marae.”
The Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Act acknowledges Te Kawerau ā Maki (alongside Ngāti Whātua) as tangata whenua of the heritage area.
Today's decision follows last week’s Environment and Community Committee’s decision to recommend that the Minister of Conservation revoke the reserve classification on this same piece of land.
Under the Unitary Plan, the land at 240A Bethells Road, Te Henga is zoned as Special Purpose Zone – Māori Purpose.
