Consultation opens today on Tauranga City Council's agreement in-principle to transfer 11 Mission Street to the Otamataha Trust.

The Otamataha Trust represents the combined interests of local hapū and recognises their historic and cultural connection to this area.

The in-principle agreement, made by a majority of Councillors, on 18 December 2018, to gift the property is on the basis of a perpetual or ongoing lease agreement with the Elms Foundation to enable the development of 11 Mission Street as a reception and education centre.

The long-term lease would be with a ‘peppercorn rental' meaning the Elms Foundation would pay $1 a year. Council also requested the matter be consulted with the community.

Council resolution:

1. Agrees in-principle to transfer the property at 11 Mission Street to the Otamataha Trust at nil consideration;
2. Delegates authority to the Chief Executive to negotiate the terms and conditions of the agreement and lease arrangement with the Elms Foundation and the Otamataha Trust.
3. That the agreement terms are reported back to Council for ratification and a decision on transfer of the property.
4. That this matter is consulted with the community and reported back to Council.

A general summary of the proposal, council report and December 18 meeting minutes is available online.

Councillors considered recognition of the Otamataha Trust's mana whenua in relation to the land, and fostering a relationship between the Elms Foundation and the Otamataha Trust to deliver historic and cultural outcomes for the city, among the reasons to transfer 11 Mission Street to the Otamataha Trust.

Councillors also considered whether there was an expectation by the Elms Foundation or members of the community that the property would be gifted to the Elms Foundation as a reason not to transfer 11 Mission Street to the Otamataha Trust.

Information about the Otamataha Trust can be found on their website.

Background

The property at 11 Mission Street is located within the original Otamataha Pā site. Prior to being visited by missionaries in the 1820s the site was occupied by local hapū and used as a Pā meaning local hapū lived, cared for their gardens and traded there. If transferred to the Otamataha Trust, the property would enable local hapū to reconnect with ancestral land in an area of significant cultural and historical importance to them.

11 Mission Street today

The property at 11 Mission Street is owned by Tauranga City Council and is subject to a lease to the Elms Foundation. The Elms is one of Tauranga's oldest heritage sites and until recently the Elms have used the property at 11 Mission Street to store items from its collection. In the future, the Elms plan to develop 11 Mission Street into a reception and education centre. The proposed future use of 11 Mission Street is supported by the Otamataha Trust.

The lease

The lease will be a long term lease, under which the Elms Foundation will be required to pay a ‘peppercorn rental' (minimal rent). The permitted use under the lease will support the development plans of the Elms Foundation in relation to both this property, and the wider Elms development.

Consultation

Residents can provide feedback on the decision by completing the online submission form. Paper copies are also available at council's customer service centre at 91 Willow Street and in Tauranga's public libraries. The community will also have the opportunity to discuss the proposal with Tauranga City Council representatives and submit their feedback at open days.

Consultation information is also available on Tauranga City Council's website.

This formal consultation process is an opportunity for the community to have their say before a final decision on the transfer takes place. The consultation period ends at 5pm on Monday, 8 July 2019. For more information, please phone 07 577 7000.

Community feedback is used to guide council's overall decision making. It is one of a number of factors upon which a final decision is based.