The discovery that the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) was investigating the possibility of turning the Arataki Motor Camp in Havelock North into emergency housing, which it has subsequently decided against, has residents concerned about the lack of consultation over the future of the site.
In September last year the Ministry of Education decided against relocating Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o te Wananga Whare Tapere o Takitimu to the campground after an environmental evaluation found the site was unsuitable for any school, because of site contamination and air quality concerns.
Ministry of Education associate deputy secretary education infrastructure service Jerome Sheppard said this week that the ministry was currently undertaking pre-disposal work on the Arataki site before a formal disposal process later this year.
The ministry also confirmed that it was currently in negotiations to secure a site for Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o te Wananga Whare Tapere o Takitimu, understood to be in the Hastings area.
In the meantime, the MSD had been working with other agencies, providers and local communities to explore options to increase the number of emergency housing places available across the country, including Hawke's Bay.