Positive start for Gate Pā cultural centre

An artist’s impression of the Pukehinahina/Gate Pā cultural centre. Image: Supplied.

The Tauranga community have shown overwhelming support for a cultural centre that will tell the story of the New Zealand land wars.

The proposed national institute of the New Zealand land wars would be built on the Gate Pā Recreation Reserve, the site of the Battle of Pukehinahina (Gate Pā).

Commissioners were presented with the public's feedback on the proposal to reclassify part of the land at the reserve during a Tauranga City Council meeting on Monday.

In July, the commissioners voted to support the reclassification 'in principle” subject to public consultation.

Council's strategic property advisor Rachael Williams said they had a 'really positive” outcome from the public consultation that ran from September 12 to October 12.

Of the 63 submissions received, 56 were in support of the proposed reclassification, six strongly opposed it and one was neutral.

Common themes from the written submissions included it being a 'very appropriate use of the land”, having a cultural centre or museum in Tauranga was 'long overdue” and that the site was a place of 'immense historic importance”.

On submitter wrote: 'For far too long, Tauranga has not had any strong cultural connections to the history of the area and an information centre, like the one proposed, will be instrumental in ensuring the korero and history of our region is maintained.”

Another said: 'There is an urgent need to recognise Tauranga's history and it is shameful we don't already have such a facility”.

Those opposed had concerns around whether there would be enough parking for the centre, the impact it may have on the nearby residents, and who would pay for the building and ongoing operation costs.

One submitter claimed it was 'another museum project with a race-based tinge”.

An overhead view of the land at Gate Pā Reserve which could be the site of a future New Zealand Land Wars institute. Image: Tauranga City Council.

Hearings were set for those wishing to speak to their submissions during the meeting on Monday, but none of those submitters were present.

Commission chair Anne Tolley said it was a 'historically significant site not just for Tauranga but for the whole of New Zealand”.

'Certainly with the compulsory curriculum of New Zealand history in our schools it's going to become even more important as the years go by.”

In 2020, the council received a proposal from Pukehinahina Charitable Trust, in partnership with mana whenua Ngāi Tamarāwaho, to establish a cultural and historic centre on the Gate Pā Recreation Reserve.

Ngāi Tamarāwaho representative Buddy Mikaere previously told Local Democracy Reporting the national institute would be the only one of its kind in the country.

The centre would recognise the significance of the Battle of Gate Pā and other battles.

On April 29 1864 the Battle of Gate Pā was fought on a ridge known as Pukehinahina. The pā consisted of two redoubts with trenches and bunkers to trap the British. Māori were successful in their defence, with 35 British troops killed and 75 wounded, twice the estimated Māori casualties.

Mikaere said the centre was 'very important” and would help raise Tauranga's profile.

Reclassification of around 6,150m2 of the reserve is required in order to progress the plans.

A decision whether or not to reclassify the land will be made by the commissioners at a meeting on November 28.

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.

10 comments

center

Posted on 08-11-2022 18:40 | By dumbkof2

amazing all the feed back seems mostpeople dont want this because of cost, yet the commissioners say overwhelming support for it. who is telling the porkies


Soooo

Posted on 08-11-2022 19:38 | By Yadick

We end up with two museums not just one unwanted museum. A cunning move. Why can't ONE museum do the job instead of just dumping museums here, there and everywhere. This Gate Pa site has enough room to do the job of both. I have nothing against a good museum (Auckland, Te Papa) but Tauranga isn't big enough or wealthy enough to start dotting museums around. Build Gate Pa's and get rid of the one in the CBD.


Overwhelming support

Posted on 08-11-2022 22:17 | By Let's get real

63 submissions from a population of around 150,000 residents. Without a doubt, there's overwhelming support and our councils means of surveying the entire community is highly efficient. The prospect of being against a project that has extensive Maori involvement wouldn't have been a consideration for anyone obviously with 63 submissions received.


Referenda

Posted on 08-11-2022 22:28 | By Let's get real

Far too honest and far too scary. Obviously just as biased as putting up a candidate for election on the general role. Dishonesty is rampant and is being promulgated as consultation by the unelected in the council offices.


Hilarious

Posted on 08-11-2022 22:40 | By Slim Shady

56 submissions in favour is “overwhelming support from the Tauranga community”. Really? Delusional.


Congestion traffic

Posted on 09-11-2022 07:00 | By Kancho

My concern is it's a reasonably congested intersection already and very limited parking. It will undoubtedly have an affect on both and I fear congest and affect Gate Pa shopping areas too. As Joyce road site is to be developed by council and iwi I would wonder consolidation to Joyce road would be a better place with more room and less affect on Gate Pa and Cameron road . Why would or should council spend on two sites ?


Austerity

Posted on 09-11-2022 17:35 | By Johnney

Our commissioners appear to have an open cheque book. I no longer participate in submissions because this is only a process, which decisions are already made.


Who Pays?

Posted on 10-11-2022 09:28 | By Equality

Who is paying for this great white elephant? Why will no one tell us? A secret obviously! Sunlive told me they would follow up on this matter but I have not seen it revealed in any of the media?


submission

Posted on 10-11-2022 10:04 | By dumbkof2

when i can see the submissions then i might believe it is in favour. until then i think someone is telling porkies


Moan moan

Posted on 05-03-2023 15:32 | By mumof4

I am happy with this.. sounds great. I'm shocked by all the moans.. although I shouldn't be really. After all it is tauranga


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