Ownership & Re-Planting Of One Tree Hill/Maungakie

3 Feb 2010

Ownership & Re-Planting Of One Tree Hill/Maungakiekie

Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, MP for Maungakiekie, welcomes a proposal to transfer the ownership of Auckland's historic One Tree Hill/Maungakiekie and other volcanic cones to Auckland iwi, saying he hopes it will lead to the re-planting of a tree on the summit of One Tree Hill/Maungakiekie.

“I recognise the cultural significance of One Tree Hill/Maungakiekie to local iwi and to all Aucklanders,” Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says.

The Government has said that any agreement involving volcanic cones will preserve public access, reserve status and conservation values.

“ I am confident that any agreement concerning One Tree Hill/Maungakiekie will not have any impact on public enjoyment and access as has been demonstrated by the 1990 Bastion Point/Takaparawha agreement .”

A previous offer by the Labour Government in 2006 to vest One Tree Hill/Maungakiekie and other volcanic cones exclusively in Ngati Whatua o Orakei was rebuked by the Waitangi Tribunal for failing to take into account the interests of all iwi.

"I recognise that for there to be any durable settlement, it must reflect the interests of all local iwi and all Aucklanders". Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says.

If finalised this agreement will transfer the ownership of One Tree Hill/Maungakiekie into a new co-governance structure that will hold the maunga in a trust for all Aucklanders and will be co-governed by a board with equal membership from the Auckland City Council and local iwi.

" I will be strongly advocating that the proposed co-governance body re-plant a tree on the summit of One Tree Hill/Maungakiekie, an unresolved issue that local residents want addressed".

ENDS

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