Latest news with #TrustTairāwhiti
1News
27-06-2025
- Politics
- 1News
Gisborne council to investigate returning ancestral land to Ngāti Oneone
Seats were scarce at Gisborne's District Council's packed-out chambers on Thursday morning, as councillors voted to investigate the return of ancestral land to a local hapū. Members of Ngāti Oneone have inhabited Te Pā Eketū Shed, a warehouse-sized property on Gisborne's Hirini St, for almost two months as part of a protest movement they have called "a reclamation of whenua". Their original Te Poho-o-Rāwiri Marae and Pā once stood on the land, now owned by Eastland Port, before they were removed to develop the Gisborne Harbour under the Public Works Act, almost a century ago. Mayor Rehette Stoltz addressed the councillors and the crowd of hapū members and supporters, saying, "Ngāti Oneone are only asking for little bits of land back... which are not used. "But the real question and the real thank you... is how much they have given to our community." ADVERTISEMENT The council voted to approve the development of a "statement of intent," which would investigate the future of the council-owned land and vested land within Ngāti Oneone's rohe. Many in the public seats were visibly touched by the meeting's outcome. Stoltz acknowledged it would be "a clunky journey," with various legislation to work through and more meetings likely. "But I think I speak on behalf of this council when I say there is good intent from us to want to work with you." The council's decision was a response to Ngāti Oneone's online petition, which has called on the council, Trust Tairāwhiti and Eastland Port to return lands not used for core business. More than 2500 people had signed the petition as of this morning. Ngāti Oneone chairwoman Charlotte Gibson told the council, "In times of disaster, you trust us with your most prized possession, which is your people", noting Ngāti Oneone's support during Covid and severe weather events. ADVERTISEMENT "Homelessness is still happening on our side of town... We think we can do something about it. Please trust us... We're good at looking after people." Ngāti Oneone chairwoman Charlotte Gibson presenting to Gisborne District Council on Thursday morning. (Source: Local Democracy Reporting) Ngāti Oneone's protest movement began on May 5. It was 185 years to the day since Ngāti Oneone's tīpuna, Rawiri Te Eke Tu, signed "ae ra" on Te Tiriti o Waitangi, said Gibson. "In this day and age – it is 'ae ra' [meaning] – Get it, do it! Support Ngāti Oneone." Councillor Rawinia Parata said the council could not continue to ask things of Māori and give nothing back. "That's not what partnership is – [partnership] is walking hand and hand." Councillor Ani Pahuru-Huriwai thanked the hapū for its "graciousness in opening [its] doors" and meeting with the landowner groups under Trust Tairāwhiti, as well as councillors, and everyone who had been to the protest movement at Te Pā Eketū Shed. ADVERTISEMENT "A lot can be solved by having a cup of tea and a kōrero around a fire. We should have done this a long time ago." She noted other councils had taken action to support returning Māori land around the country. "This is not new, but it is a step in the right direction in terms of what Treaty partnership truly looks like and that we're not afraid to go there." Deputy Mayor Josh Wharehinga said the statement was consistent with previous council decisions, noting the decision in 2021 to support the return of land taken under the Public Works Act in Tokomaru Bay. Council chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann said the statement of intent was a framework for how the council would proceed. "That will be in negotiation with Ngāti Oneone around what this will look like, and what their priority areas are. "We may be able to find some easy wins in this... we have 265 parcels of land. Some will be reserves, some will be public works. ADVERTISEMENT "[It's] going to be difficult to navigate, but I am sure we will work in a partnership way." In its petition, Ngāti Oneone described its tribal lands as "from Pouawa in the north of Gisborne to Te Toka a Taiau, Turanganui awa, including the lands known as Kaiti/Kai Iti/Puhi Kai Iti". Council landholdings within this area comprise 265 individual land parcels, including Titirangi Reserve and its surrounds, according to the meeting's report. "The number of parcels and variety of types of land and ways it was acquired and is held mean that there can be no 'one size fits all' process. "Even if parcels are grouped and prioritised, consideration of the request from Ngāti Oneone will be complex and will require significant time and resources." In the report, the council acknowledged that other iwi and hapū may also have interests in some of the lands and commits to engaging in a principled and inclusive manner, ensuring all rights and relationships to the whenua are considered. The report says the statement of intent will signal the council's intent to "explore the return or vesting of land to the rightful owner/s where there is no longer a genuine public need, or where ongoing stewardship and use would be more appropriately held by tangata whenua". ADVERTISEMENT Additionally, the council will engage in good faith with Ngāti Oneone and ensure "the process is transparent, timely, and upholds and enhances the dignity, integrity, and mana of those involved". The statement of intent will be presented to the council for adoption on August 14. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
NZ Herald
27-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Tairāwhiti multicultural council, music, museum and more supported by nearly $200,000 in grants
'This role is crucial in helping migrant families to navigate essential services, access resources, and build meaningful connections within Tairāwhiti.' The Haven Senior Citizen Association will receive $25,230 to help replace its current van. 'The van transports pakeke [mature people] from Tokomaru Bay to essential services, medical appointments, social events, and community gatherings in Gisborne and along the coast,' Trust Tairāwhiti wrote. 'The van has served the community for over 20 years, but has experienced significant rusting and general deterioration, making it no longer fit for purpose.' Other recipients in May Gisborne International Music Competition: $23,500 for its annual programme, which focuses on rangatahi education and empowerment in music. East Coast Museum of Technology: $15,000 for heat pump installation to help preserve artefacts while improving comfort for visitors and volunteers. Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support: $15,000 to support the recruitment and specialist training of local kaimahi, providing free, 24/7 support for people affected by crime and traumatic events Te Aitanga a Hauiti Centre of Excellence Trust: $15,000 for a series of community events in Ūawa, including ANZAC Day commemorations, a Matariki festival and other gatherings, activities and events that enrich and foster community and cultural pride. Te Ha Ora – the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation: $15,000 for 15 school vape education workshops and a Train-the-Trainer programme equipping local educators to deliver vaping education to rangatahi. Braemar Dancing Club: $5,000 to support the delivery of the Braemar annual competition, an inclusive dancing event that encourages dancers of all abilities to perform and grow. Nona Te Ao: $5,000 for three wānanga across Tairāwhiti, engaging 237 rangatahi across 10 rural schools. These wānanga empower rangatahi Māori to overcome barriers associated with rural living by providing exposure to educational and career pathways. Te Kura Poutama Charitable Trust: $5,000 to support Ngāti Porou Rugby League (NPRL), which seeks to build on its 2024 successes. Gisborne District Council (on behalf of the Tairāwhiti Pasifika Leadership Group): $1,222 for venue hire to host a fono (gathering) for the Tairāwhiti Pasifika Leadership Group (TPLG), established after Cyclone Gabrielle to unite the diverse Pacific Island communities in Tairāwhiti.
Scoop
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Ngāti Oneone calls for unused land return in Gisborne protest
Article – Zita Campbell – Local Democracy Reporter Protesters marched through Gisborne, calling for the return of land taken from Ngti Oneone nearly a century ago. Protesters in Gisborne demand the return of land taken from Ngāti Oneone nearly a century ago Ngāti Oneone chairwoman Charlotte Gibson emphasised the need for fairness and honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi The council and Trust Tairāwhiti acknowledge the grievance Protesters carrying placards reading 'We are the whenua' and 'Public works, Private grief' marched through Gisborne on Monday, calling for the return of land taken from Ngāti Oneone nearly a century ago. The hīkoi began at the Gisborne District Council administration building and visited Trust Tairāwhiti and Eastland Port before ending at the group's occupation site, Te Pa Eketū Shed, on Hirini Street. There, a pou was erected and a fire lit – actions the group say will continue until their concerns are addressed. 'We will keep that fire burning until all of this is resolved,' Ngāti Oneone chairwoman Charlotte Gibson told the crowd. 'It's going to be a long haul, but we're up for it.' She told Local Democracy Reporting the group intended to remain at the site 'as long as it takes'. This year marks 95 years since the hapū was displaced from its ancestral land under the Public Works Act. Te Poho-o-Rāwiri Marae, originally established on Hirini Street in 1852, was removed to make way for the development of the Gisborne Harbour. Gibson said a tipping point came when the hapū realised the Eastland Port shed on Hirini Street was no longer being used for port-related operations. 'It sort of broke the back…we lost that whenua for you to store boats,' she said. Gibson said that returning the land was not about legalities, rather fairness, partnership and honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 'We want all the lands back that you are not using for your core business,' she said. 'If you look at the whole of Hirini Street, which was our marae, they've all been sold on.' Gibson said if further port developments were to proceed and the land was sold again, the hapū could lose any chance of reclaiming it. 'We would lose the opportunity in my lifetime.' Previous attempts to get the land back were made by her grandfather and father, Gibson said. The aim now was to avoid passing the burden on to future generations. 'We don't want it to fall on the next generation.' They want the land returned without it being the problem of the hapū to work out how that return happened. 'It always falls on us to 'make the case',' she said. Ngāti Oneone is calling on the council, Trust Tairāwhiti and Eastland Port to return land not essential to their core operations. Trust Tairāwhiti is the region's economic development and tourism agency and the sole shareholder of Eastland Port. In separate statements, the council and Trust Tairāwhiti acknowledged the historical grievance and the right to a peaceful protest. The council said it began exploring how land could potentially be returned following formal requests from Ngāti Oneone in 2024. 'This includes looking into the relevant legal processes, policy settings and the interests of other Treaty partners,' council chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann said. 'The council recognises its part in past decisions that contributed to the loss of land and the lasting impacts of those actions.' Trust Tairāwhiti chair David Battin said the trust valued its relationship with Ngāti Oneone and had sought independent legal and cultural advice to understand the complexities of the request. 'Ultimately, we advised that the trust could not approve those requests and that the Crown is best placed to address their historical grievance,' he said. Battin said that because the trust was not a Crown entity, it did not have the authority or mechanisms to address historic Treaty breaches. 'Our commitment to Te Tiriti is about working in partnership with mana whenua to support hapū and marae development now and into the future. 'We are focused on solutions and remain open to constructive engagement with Ngāti Oneone.'
Scoop
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Ngāti Oneone calls for unused land return in Gisborne protest
Protesters in Gisborne demand the return of land taken from Ngāti Oneone nearly a century ago Ngāti Oneone chairwoman Charlotte Gibson emphasised the need for fairness and honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi The council and Trust Tairāwhiti acknowledge the grievance Protesters carrying placards reading "We are the whenua" and "Public works, Private grief" marched through Gisborne on Monday, calling for the return of land taken from Ngāti Oneone nearly a century ago. The hīkoi began at the Gisborne District Council administration building and visited Trust Tairāwhiti and Eastland Port before ending at the group's occupation site, Te Pa Eketū Shed, on Hirini Street. There, a pou was erected and a fire lit - actions the group say will continue until their concerns are addressed. "We will keep that fire burning until all of this is resolved," Ngāti Oneone chairwoman Charlotte Gibson told the crowd. "It's going to be a long haul, but we're up for it." She told Local Democracy Reporting the group intended to remain at the site "as long as it takes". This year marks 95 years since the hapū was displaced from its ancestral land under the Public Works Act. Te Poho-o-Rāwiri Marae, originally established on Hirini Street in 1852, was removed to make way for the development of the Gisborne Harbour. Gibson said a tipping point came when the hapū realised the Eastland Port shed on Hirini Street was no longer being used for port-related operations. "It sort of broke the lost that whenua for you to store boats," she said. Gibson said that returning the land was not about legalities, rather fairness, partnership and honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi. "We want all the lands back that you are not using for your core business," she said. "If you look at the whole of Hirini Street, which was our marae, they've all been sold on." Gibson said if further port developments were to proceed and the land was sold again, the hapū could lose any chance of reclaiming it. "We would lose the opportunity in my lifetime." Previous attempts to get the land back were made by her grandfather and father, Gibson said. The aim now was to avoid passing the burden on to future generations. "We don't want it to fall on the next generation." They want the land returned without it being the problem of the hapū to work out how that return happened. "It always falls on us to 'make the case'," she said. Ngāti Oneone is calling on the council, Trust Tairāwhiti and Eastland Port to return land not essential to their core operations. Trust Tairāwhiti is the region's economic development and tourism agency and the sole shareholder of Eastland Port. In separate statements, the council and Trust Tairāwhiti acknowledged the historical grievance and the right to a peaceful protest. The council said it began exploring how land could potentially be returned following formal requests from Ngāti Oneone in 2024. "This includes looking into the relevant legal processes, policy settings and the interests of other Treaty partners," council chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann said. "The council recognises its part in past decisions that contributed to the loss of land and the lasting impacts of those actions." Trust Tairāwhiti chair David Battin said the trust valued its relationship with Ngāti Oneone and had sought independent legal and cultural advice to understand the complexities of the request. "Ultimately, we advised that the trust could not approve those requests and that the Crown is best placed to address their historical grievance," he said. Battin said that because the trust was not a Crown entity, it did not have the authority or mechanisms to address historic Treaty breaches. "Our commitment to Te Tiriti is about working in partnership with mana whenua to support hapū and marae development now and into the future. "We are focused on solutions and remain open to constructive engagement with Ngāti Oneone."
RNZ News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Ngāti Oneone calls for unused land return in Gisborne protest
Ngāti Oneone people and supporters stand as one outside Te Pa Eketu Shed on Hirini St as the hapū starts an occupation which hapū chair Charlotte Gibson says will continue for "as long as it takes" Photo: LDR / Zita Campbell Protesters carrying placards reading "We are the whenua" and "Public works, Private grief" marched through Gisborne on Monday, calling for the return of land taken from Ngāti Oneone nearly a century ago. The hīkoi began at the Gisborne District Council administration building and visited Trust Tairāwhiti and Eastland Port before ending at the group's occupation site, Te Pa Eketū Shed, on Hirini Street. There, a pou was erected and a fire lit - actions the group say will continue until their concerns are addressed. "We will keep that fire burning until all of this is resolved," Ngāti Oneone chairwoman Charlotte Gibson told the crowd. "It's going to be a long haul, but we're up for it." She told Local Democracy Reporting the group intended to remain at the site "as long as it takes". This year marks 95 years since the hapū was displaced from its ancestral land under the Public Works Act. Te Poho-o-Rāwiri Marae, originally established on Hirini Street in 1852, was removed to make way for the development of the Gisborne Harbour. Gibson said a tipping point came when the hapū realised the Eastland Port shed on Hirini Street was no longer being used for port-related operations. "It sort of broke the lost that whenua for you to store boats," she said. Gibson said that returning the land was not about legalities, rather fairness, partnership and honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi. "We want all the lands back that you are not using for your core business," she said. "If you look at the whole of Hirini Street, which was our marae, they've all been sold on." A Ngāti Oneone hikoi makes its way up the main road of Gisborne en route to Te Pa Eketu Shed on Hirini St where an occupation is taking place as the hapū calls for the return of lands. Photo: LDR / Zita Campbell Gibson said if further port developments were to proceed and the land was sold again, the hapū could lose any chance of reclaiming it. "We would lose the opportunity in my lifetime." Previous attempts to get the land back were made by her grandfather and father, Gibson said. The aim now was to avoid passing the burden on to future generations. "We don't want it to fall on the next generation." They want the land returned without it being the problem of the hapū to work out how that return happened. "It always falls on us to 'make the case'," she said. Ngāti Oneone is calling on the council, Trust Tairāwhiti and Eastland Port to return land not essential to their core operations. Trust Tairāwhiti is the region's economic development and tourism agency and the sole shareholder of Eastland Port. In separate statements, the council and Trust Tairāwhiti acknowledged the historical grievance and the right to a peaceful protest. The council said it began exploring how land could potentially be returned following formal requests from Ngāti Oneone in 2024. "This includes looking into the relevant legal processes, policy settings and the interests of other Treaty partners," council chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann said. "The council recognises its part in past decisions that contributed to the loss of land and the lasting impacts of those actions." Trust Tairāwhiti chair David Battin said the trust valued its relationship with Ngāti Oneone and had sought independent legal and cultural advice to understand the complexities of the request. "Ultimately, we advised that the trust could not approve those requests and that the Crown is best placed to address their historical grievance," he said. Battin said that because the trust was not a Crown entity, it did not have the authority or mechanisms to address historic Treaty breaches. "Our commitment to Te Tiriti is about working in partnership with mana whenua to support hapū and marae development now and into the future. "We are focused on solutions and remain open to constructive engagement with Ngāti Oneone." LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
