No buildings on Mauao

The Mount Maunganui Reserve Management Plan that iwi seek to implement is 28 pages long. When the city council advised me two months ago me that submissions could be made they also advised that this plan could be viewed in libraries in the area – not so. I also asked them if this plan had been made available to the media in Tauranga and was told that newspapers had been informed. There is a communication breakdown somewhere and a lack of public information. The submission form listed no mention of a marae atea on the summit. An atea is the open space directly in front of the wharenui – the meeting house. There are also sacred places around the area which cannot be accessed. The Mount is a historic reserve for the community and when the government transferred the reserve title to the three iwi it was with the proviso that the reserve provisions be maintained. Buildings of any sort are not provided for in the Reserves Act and it is not considered appropriate for either the marae atea on the summit or the visitor centre at the base of the reserve area. Some time ago any suggestion of commercial activity was disallowed and this premise should be continued. I believe that the closing date for submissions should be extended so the community can view the plan and its proposed restrictions of recreation.

R Stephens, Mount Maunganui (Abridged).

Tauranga City Council replies: Reference copies of the draft Mauao Historic Reserve Management Plan were delivered to all Tauranga libraries – however they were delivered one day late due to a printing issue. On July 21 local media were notified and all reported on the plan. It is true that the submission forms did not specifically mention a marae atea at the summit. They did mention that the plan included projects to meet the cultural needs and aspirations of tangata whenua. It's also important to note that there is no wharenui – meeting house – proposed, only the open space of the marae atea.

In addition, the draft plan was promoted through social media, Tauranga City Council's homepage, signs at the entrances of the maunga, and direct engagement with stakeholders.

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1 comment

Council, a simple apology, an extension

Posted on 20-10-2017 21:12 | By Murray.Guy

Tauranga City Council says to deflect, "It is true that the submission forms did not specifically mention a marae atea at the summit. They did mention that the plan included projects to meet the cultural needs and aspirations of tangata whenua." NOT GOOD ENOUGH! The community is entitled to know specifics to enable an informed response! Generalities such as mentioned 'just don't cut it!' Just a simple, "oops, sorry about that", and invite more informed submissions with a little extension'. Not hard.


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