Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust and the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board have formed a six-member committee to manage the future of Ōmaru Reserve (Point England Reserve). Ownership of the reserve will transfer from the Crown to Ngāti Pāoa, likely at some point in 2025, as cultural redress under the Ngāti Pāoa Treaty of Waitangi settlement.
The settlement redress provides for an ongoing relationship between Ngāti Pāoa and local board in the management of the land under the Reserves Act 1977, including the joint preparation and approval of the management plan for the reserve.
Chair Maria Meredith says it’s a milestone moment.
“We’re excited to have formed this committee and we’re looking forward to working closely with Ngāti Pāoa to manage the future of this much-loved and historic area that the community cherishes.”
Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust chair, Herearoha Skipper, says:
“Ōmaru is a place of great importance to Ngāti Pāoa and we look forward to working with the local board to develop plans for the reserve that truly benefit the local community and the iwi. Through our settlement the Crown is also providing whenua to Ngāti Pāoa for a papakāinga and marae, and we want to ensure planning for the reserve works together.”
The committee members are made up of Ngāti Pāoa representatives Herearoha Skipper, Lucy Tukua, and Micheal Phillips, Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board chair Maria Meredith, and members Nerissa Henry and Chris Makoare.
Ōmaru Reserve is the largest area of public open space on the Tāmaki River foreshore, and includes sports fields and rural open space.
Public access will remain, with the community to continue to have access to use and enjoy Ōmaru as a reserve.
Council staff recommended the establishment of a committee of the local board under the Local Government Act 2002 to jointly manage Ōmaru with Ngāti Pāoa.
This meets council’s obligations under the Ngāti Pāoa Treaty of Waitangi settlement and the objectives of the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board Plan 2023, which is also noted in the Auckland Council Long-term Plan 2024-2034.
The committee will meet for the first time within the next month, and will work closely with at least quarterly committee meetings.
Stay updated
Sign up for your monthly local E news and receive the latest information and events direct to your inbox here or follow @maungakiekietamaki on Facebook here.
