Proposed heritage status changes to Ōtuataua Stonefields won't fix Ihumātao land dispute

Tuesday, 5 November 2019

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A bid to give Auckland's Ōtuataua Stonefields the highest level of heritage recognition could expand its protected area boundary but it will not affect the current land dispute at neighbouring Ihumātao, protesters say.

Heritage New Zealand is considering proposals to upgrade the status of the stonefields from a Category 2 historic place to a Category 1 historic place.

A Category 1 historic place is defined as 'being a place of special or outstanding heritage significance'.

Protesters against Fletcher Building's plans to build 480 homes on nearby Ihumātao said news Heritage New Zealand was now looking at the plan was great acknowledgement of the historical influence of the area, but it still would not solve their problem.

The expansion of protected land won't cover the disputed area at Ihumātao.

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SOUL's Pania Newton said while the proposal was an acknowledgement of how important the land is - it did little to fix the current issue.

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Proposed changes could see the heritage status of the Otuataua Stonefields change.

Save Our Unique Landscape (SOUL) spokesperson Pania Newton said: 'We are still wanting to wait for the government for that resolution.

The status change 'doesn't legally put any restrictions on any development. Nor does it stop any previous resource consents and plans', she said.

The protesters, or self-described protectors, began a campaign to protect the area at Ihumātao in 2016, after it was bought by Fletcher Building as land for homes.

SOUL claims the 33.8-hectare site was unjustly confiscated from mana whenua in 1863 and want it returned to iwi.

A mass occupation of the land began in July 2019 when protesters were arrested for trespassing as Fletcher Building workers move in to start work. The occupation will reach 110 days this weekend.

The three submissions calling for upgraded heritage status were lodged by members of the SOUL campaign years ago, according to Newton. She said was sceptical about why the proposal was being brought up for consideration now as, to her knowledge, it usually takes 10-20 years before they are addressed.

'It is a relief though', she said, 'that Heritage New Zealand is finally going to recognise Ihumātao for its national and international significance, that is worthy of a status one listing.'

Considerations for heritage became a lot broader in 2014 and allowed for the potential to recognise the 'spiritual cultural traditional significance of this land which we think has warranted it being increased from a Category 2 to a Category 1 heritage place,' Heritage New Zealand chief executive Andrew Coleman said.

Submissions on the plans are open until 29 November when they will be reviewed by the Heritage New Zealand Māori Heritage Council and Board.