February 18, 2016
Awaroa Inlet better in Maori ownership
The chair of the incorporation which administers large Maori landholdings in Nelson and Marlborough, says a beach on the edge of the Abel Tasman National Park would be better in Maori hands than given to the crown.
A group has raised pledges on the Givealittle internet site to put in a tender for the 7 hectare property at Awaroa Inlet, with the intention of gifting it to the Department of Conservation.
But Paul Morgan from Whakatu Incorporation, who has family land on the other side of the inlet, says the Maori history of the land has been overlooked.
The way the crown acquired the land in the 1840s still rankles with iwi from Te Tau Ihu, and he says it's one of many blocks that should be reviewed and returned to Maori.
"It's not the only site in New Zealand. There are others and of course the crown won't like hearing that perspective but they are not a good guardian of land, they have proven it to be the case. Going forward we need a much better view and clarity from government on how these lands are going to be eventually purchased back or controlled by the public or New Zealanders or Maori for that matter," Mr Morgan says.
He says the government has allowed New Zealand's coastline to be lost to private ownership, so New Zealanders' ability to go camping at the beach for a reasonable price is being lost.
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