September 16, 2014
Tamaki Makaurau iwi bystanders no more
The body that will oversee 14 of Auckland's volcanic cones has held its first meeting.
The Tupuna Maunga o Tamaki Makaurau Authority was born out of the Tamaki Makaurau collective settlement, and includes six representatives of iwi, six from Auckland Council and a non-voting crown member to be appointed after the election.
Chair Paul Majurey from Marutuahu says it means mana whenua are now at the table on an equal basis making decisions about the future of the taonga.
"For so many generations we have been bystanders watching decisions that have touched the physicality of those maunga, many having been quarried for roading material, many having been let fall into disrepair," he says.
Mr Majurey says the maunga are hugely popular with the people of Auckland, so it's important they are managed in a way that protects and enhances them.
The other Maori members are Tipa Compain from Marutuahu, Dennis Kirkwood and Te Warena Taua from Waiohua Tamaki and Grant Hawke and Ngarimu Blair from Ngati Whatua, while the council is represented by councillors Bill Cashmore, Chris Darby and Christine Fletcher and local board members Glenda Fryer, Kit Parkinson and Simon Randall.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH PAUL MAJUREY CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjIxNzg=
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