Land near disputed Ihumātao site rezoned for public open space

Wednesday, 7 August 2019

More than eight hectares of land near the Ōtuataua Stonefields is being rezoned to public open space.

More than eight hectares of land abutting the disputed Ihumātao site will be rezoned as public open space.

The decision by Auckland Council's planning committee will see 619 Ōruarangi Rd, a 8.9ha block of land, rezoned from future urban development to public open space.

The land is owned by the council and is home to the historic Rennie homestead.

Mayor Phil Goff welcomed the decision on Wednesday.

* Ihumātao: Police deny pushing protester to ground

Under the watchful eyes of the police, protesters have taken up occupation of the contested land at Ihumātao, in south Auckland.

* Ihumātao: Police presence increased, then de-escalated at site**

'The decision we have made will add to the 92ha of council-owned reserve at the heritage Ōtuataua Stonefields site and is our contribution towards protecting the historical significance of the area,' he said.

The rezoning of land near Ihumātao was among 233ha of land the planning committee decided to rezone public open space.

'As our city grows, we need more and better public open space for Aucklanders to enjoy,' Goff said.

'The decision today adds considerably to our parks, conservation areas and public open space. Over the same period, less than one hectare of public open space has been disposed of.

'This makes a nonsense of the claim that Auckland Council was selling off its land rather than making the city a greener, better place to live in and enjoy.'

Occupiers at Ihumātao on August 5, when the police presence was increased and then de-escalated.

Chris Darby, chairman of the planning committee, also welcomed adding new recreational areas for Aucklanders.

'The green lungs of Auckland are growing. They provide the much-needed breathing space for future Aucklanders and place nature at the centre of our thinking as our city grows.'

Ihumātao, located near Auckland Airport, is a section of land earmarked for housing development by Fletcher Building.

The land is sacred to Māori and a group of about a dozen people have occupied it for the past three years in peaceful protest against the development.

On July 23, they were issued an eviction notice. Since then, thousands have passed through with many continuing the peaceful occupation.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said no construction will take place at Ihumātao until a solution is reached by all parties.