'Pay for it yourselves': NZ First MP Shane Jones savages hapū's Papatūānuku proposal

Monday, 16 July 2018

This video was made two years ago by Dunedin's Animation Research proposed a pou on Wynyard Wharf, prompting discussion about it being sited on Bastion Point

NZ First MP Shane Jones has savaged a proposal for a giant statue of Papatūānuku at Bastion Point, saying it is laughable Aucklanders are forking out for the work.

Auckland Council has earmarked $1 million in its budget for the project, but Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei Trust deputy chairman spokesman Ngarimu Blair says the idea is unformed and it is 'early days'.

'We would need to see a full proposal and consider this in a wider context before deciding to take the idea any further,' he said.

A video has been released of the inspiration for the Bastion Point discussion.

The video is of a concept floated two years ago by Ian Taylor and created by his Dunedin-based form Animation Research.

'A maori carver approached me with this idea to make a 40-metre pou using fallen Kauri Trees from the Waitakere Ranges,' said Taylor.

Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones Jones has announced another $625,000 funding package for the West Coast.

'We'd just finished animation work for Auckland's 30 year vision, so I thought I'd put it on the end of Wynyard Wharf.'

The original idea was envisaged on the end of Wynyard Wharf, but prompted interest from Ngati Whatua.

A new video based on the Bastion Point location is not being released yet, while the concept is still under discussion.

Stuff understands the idea for the statue, or pou, has been under discussion for 18 months by the Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei Reserves Board, which is chaired by the iwi, includes Auckland councillor Desley Simpson and co-manages the Bastion Point land.

But Jones, who is also Regional Economic Development Minister and Associate Finance Minister, ripped into the idea during an interview with Stuff on Monday.

Auckland Council has earmarked $1 million for a statue at Bastion Point.

'The notion that the ratepayers of Auckland should foot the costs for this cultural mimicry promoted by the Ōrākei hapū is risible,' Jones said.

'We need to bear in mind that the Maoris up at Ōrākei do not have an exclusive rights to promote a statue in the form of the earth goddess on behalf of anyone other than themselves.

'If they want it for themselves then they should spend their own money and not misrepresent the broader Maori community that a statue, in the form of Christ the Redeemer out of Brazil, is an appropriate expression of Maori identity, or indeed New Zealand identity.'

Jones said he was speaking out on the proposal because 'significant numbers of Māori' – both Auckland ratepayers and those from the north – were aghast at the proposal, which Jones said had been put up 'in the form of a cultural hot air balloon without any consultation, without any mandate and without a sliver of support'.

'If such a pretentious gesture is their long-term ambition then pay for it yourselves.'

Meanwhile, Ngāti Whātua was trying to slow down talk of plans for the statue on its land at Bastion Point.

Ngarimu Blair said there was no approval yet from the landowner, the Ngāti Whātua Trust, and a wider piece of work was underway on Maori tourism in Auckland.

The council's 10-year budget includes up to $100,000 in funding to the reserves board this year, and up to a further $900,000 to realise the project in subsequent years, but with the expectation of funding from other sources.

GOFF'S BACKING

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff had enthusiastically backed the idea of a statue of earth mother Papatuanuku on land above the Waitemata Harbour.

'The pou has the potential to be an iconic symbol of Auckland. It will reflect the unique culture and identity of our city and be enjoyed equally by Maori, the wider community and international visitors to our region,' Goff said.

Councillors had seen a visual concept of the pou, during confidential workshops for the now-completed 10 Year Budget.

Jones said he was 'astounded' Auckland Council had 'spare change to give to Maoridom's richest hapū' when the Government was supporting the city council's ability to raise money through a regional fuel tax.

'The word Papatūānuku means earth goddess, what are they thinking erecting some massive planet? I would say to you, culturally speaking, their thinking is off the planet,' Jones said.

'BILLION TREE MAN'

The proposal needed to be subject to 'rigorous discussion, debate and agreement by all the people who are affiliated to Auckland', he said.

'Now, if they want to provide leadership on an iconic site, then sort out what sort of tree's going to go on One Tree Hill,' Jones said.

'And given that I'm the billion tree man I've got a few options for them.'

Blair said Jones' comments were 'at the front end of a conversation that has many turns to go'.

'We welcome Minister Jones into the wider discussion on tourism for the whole region in his role as Minister for Regional Development,' he said.

'We can assure the Minister and all New Zealanders that if an idea proves to be workable, then we would of course begin to have a conversation with Aucklanders and all those with an affiliation.'

Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei knew four per cent of the tourism dollar in New Zealand was captured by Maori, Blair added

'Yet 70 per cent of the promotion of New Zealand is using our face, our moko,' he said.

An attraction on Bastion Point was also part of work the iwi was doing itself on the tourism opportunities on its own landholdings.

'There is an iconic pou planned for Takaparawhau, Bastion Point,' the trust confirmed in an earlier statement, which said conceptual designs were being considered.

'Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei supports the idea of having a culturally significant icon in Tamaki Makaurau, that will be recognised across the world,' it said.

The iwi, and others across Auckland have their eyes firmly on the tourism opportunities in 2021, when the city hosts the America's Cup, the APEC leaders meeting, and the national Kapa haka finals.

Blair said, for Ngāti Whātua, it was an investment decision, and whatever happened on its land may also include other elements such as a visitor centre, or cultural centre.

'Takaparawhau Bastion Point is a significant place for our iwi, and for all who visit and live here. But any sculpture idea is just that – an idea in its infancy.'

Another early opponent of the idea was National's Helensville MP Chris Penk.

'Please, please, please sort out the basic infrastructure in the West and Northwest (and elsewhere too … but start with my patch) before talking about statues!' he wrote in a Facebook post.

Comments have now closed.