August 23, 2020
Council inspectors unwelcome in Te Whanau a Apanui
Te Whānau ā Apanui is threatening to trespass Opotiki District Council staff from its land.
Raukokore hapū chair Willie Te Aho says the iwi met with the council earlier this month to try to establish protocols as it embarks on a major home-building effort, without success.
It then had a council inspector turn up without warning and order modifications, which were at odds with the assessment of the experienced project manager.
Landowners now face the prospect of having to pay $3000 for an unnecessary survey permit.
"This is Māori land where we provide a licence to occupy. they aren't subdivisions and it's in a rural area and every cost has a huge impact on my people. That whānau going in there, their average earnings per year is $19,800. Every cent the council adds affects our people and I'm not going to tolerate that any more," Mr Te Aho says.
Willie Te Aho
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