The future of Ihumātao is currently being negotiated, but what visions do people have of the future of the controversial country?
It has been 18 months since the government bought the disputed tract of land in Auckland from Fletcher Building in 2020 for $29.9 million.
The steering committee, Rōpu Whakahaere, will decide on the future use of the land and develop a management plan for when.
Auckland Council maintains the land while the Kīngitanga (Māori king) leads a process to determine the future of the site.
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The Rōpu Whakahaere will consist of two representatives from the Crown, one from the Kīngitanga, and three Ahi Kā groups representing the local iwi and hapū (Te Aakitai Waiohua, Te Kawerau aa Maki and Te Ahiwaru).
The government bought the land on the condition that housing would be built, according to There is stabilitythe Memorium of Understanding signed between the Kīngitanga, the Government and the Auckland Council.
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The Kīngitanga leads a steering committee to decide what to do with the whenua. (File photo)
Housing for mana whenua families, papakainga housing and/or social housing are all on the table during the negotiations.
Kīngitanga Chief of Staff Ngira Simmonds said their vision for Ihumātao negotiations was to give the committee the often negative reality for Māori.
“Right now, we are working with mana whenua to form the committee that will work with the representatives of the Crown to determine the future of Ihumātao. This is a very complex process that is steeped in the realities of history, which for iwi and hapū are not positive and uplifting realities,” he said.
“However, the Kīngitanga remains focused on changing that story to create a positive future for our people.”
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Kīngitanga Chief of Staff Ngira Simmonds said their vision for Ihumātao negotiations was to see the commission change the often negative reality for Māori. (File photo)
The Kīngitanga must be the representatives for the . yet to announce ahi kā.
Māori Development Minister Willie Jackson said the Rōpū Whakahaere will complete their work within the five-year deadline set in 2020.
“The role of this group is important in determining the future use and ownership options of Ihumātao. We anticipate this work will be ready in five years,” he said.
Jackson announced last week that dr. Charlotte Severne and Bernie O’Donnell will represent the Crown and join the four other members of the commission, which has at least three and a half years to make a decision on how to use the land.
“I am convinced that both Dr. Severne as Mr. O’Donnell will make a strong contribution to the success of the Rōpu Whakahaere in solving the use and management of the land of Ihumātao. I look forward to further progress,” said Willie Jackson.
Ihumātao was confiscated by the Crown in the 1800s during the Waikato invasion – a campaign to exterminate the Kīngitanga and clear land for European settlement.
The New Zealand Settlements Act 1863, signed by then Governor Sir George Grey, allowed the confiscation of Māori land if an iwi or hapū was deemed ‘rebellious’ against the Crown, including anyone who supported the Kīngitanga.
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Ihumātao was seized by the Crown in the 1800s during the Waikato invasion.
After the war, more than 1 million acres of land was confiscated in Waikato.
Ihumātao was owned by the Wallace family for generations. In 2014 it was sold to Fletcher Buildingwhich planned to build 480 houses on the website.
This prompted a response from Save Our Unique Landscape (SOUL), led by Pānia Newton who issued a village guard on land in 2016.
By 2020, the government made a deal with the Māori king, Tūhetia, buying the disputed land in Ihumātao from Fletcher Building for $29.9 million and holds it in trust.