Frustration in Tairāwhiti over ministerial land-use response

Forestry Minister Peeni Henare says phase one of the Government’s response to the land-use inquiry includes action to remove woody debris, as well as work to understand how best to ramp up efforts to remove woody debris that’s at risk of further damaging downstream infrastructure for the longer term. This picture of a woody debris-littered waterway inland from Tolaga Bay was taken after Cyclone Hale hit the region on January 10 this year. Supplied file picture

The Government announcement in response to a damning East Coast land- use inquiry has received a fiery reception from pockets of the Tairāwhiti community.

Yesterday the Government announced it supported the findings of the Ministerial Inquiry into Land Use in Tairāwhiti and Wairoa, which was set up in response to cyclones Hale and Gabrielle.

Environment Minister David Parker and Forestry Minister Peeni Henare have vowed to clear woody debris, improve national guidance on forestry management (including forestry slash), support Gisborne District Council in land-use management, and work to strengthen regional partnerships.

But some of the 50-strong crowd which packed into Gisborne’s Emerald Hotel conference room to hear from Mr Henare yesterday morning were not convinced, including members of Mana Taiao Tairāwhiti — a group that was instrumental in forming the inquiry after launching a petition earlier in the year.

Mana Taiao Tairāwhiti member Jody Toroa said those attending the hui brought the memories of those who had lost their lives through both forestry and cyclones.

She said that people wanted answers.

“I don’t sense urgency in addressing a crisis that we have within our region . . . and I’m not sensing real commitment,” she said.

One particularly vocal member of the public, John Kape, told Local Democracy there was a lack of detail on what was being put forward by the Government.

“They’ve kicked the issues down the path. There’s no certainty about the decisions they’ve been making. They’re completely silent on ending clear felling on highly erodible soils.”

At one point two people got up and left following a comment by Mr Henare that erodible soils on the East Coast weren’t always conducive to native forestation.

One of those who left was Mana Taiao Tairāwhiti co-lead Manu Caddie, who labelled what he had heard as “bulls..t”, before storming out.

Mr Henare later told media he did not see the meeting as heated, but the expression of “a very passionate community”.

He said many of the challenges raised were not new, but the Government now had a roadmap in front of it for addressing those.

“I made it clear in my speech that there are some things we can do immediately, and others will be on a longer course.”

Mr Henare said his comment about native tree planting was just in relation to some soils.

“You can’t just do mass native planting in some areas,” he said.

During his presentation, Mr Henare acknowledged the challenges facing people in Tairāwhiti and Wairoa, and offered his sympathies to those who had been affected.

The inquiry’s report Outrage to Optimism clearly stated necessary change could only come about through sustained progress, he said, and the announcement was just the first stage of the Government’s response.

Deputy Mayor Josh Wharehinga told those gathered that the council was committed to working with mana whenua, Government, industry and the community to coordinate an effective response to the inquiry.

Mr Wharehinga said taking action was more important than ever, considering severe weather events were on the rise.

“It’s rough that this is how the issues have to get put on the table for us to be able to deal with them, but thankful, grateful, that we’re here today.”

The Government has made available $10.15 million in funding to clean up 70,000 tonnes of forestry slash.

An initial $3.54 million has already been distributed to councils across Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay, with a further $2 million administered through Te Puni Kōkiri directly for whenua Māori.

Environment Minister David Parker was scheduled to attend yesterday’s meeting, but had returned home due to sickness.