Developer battles his own iwi over plans

Mahia land owner George Ormond is facing stiff opposition from his own iwi as his development plans have received more than 1000 submissions - the majority of which are in opposition.

Plans to develop a subdivision of 48 properties and camping ground on the northern side of Mahia Peninsula has brought condemnation from his own Rongmaiwahine iwi, who claim it is "culturally wrong and disrespectful" to their ancestors.

The Pongaroa Land Co, owned by Mr Ormond, put in a consent application to the Wairoa District Council which was made open to public notification several months ago on the council website, but objectors were upset its publication in the local papers came over the Christmas break when council offices were closed.

The campground would be gifted to the Wairoa District Council upon acceptance of the application, and the 48 residential properties would require two 20m wind turbines and diesel generators for power.

A spokesman for the Mahia Whangawehi Protection Incorporated Society, who declined to be named, said they were ready to fight it. "We see the development as culturally wrong and disrespectful to our ancestors," they said.

"It's going to desecrate the area we've always grown up knowing as the cradle of our iwi."

They said ancestors originated from an area less than 1km away from the proposed development, and five pa and urupa were located at the development site.

"We plan to fight it as far as it needs to go, because it will just change the community forever."

They also thought the gifting of the campground was a conflict of interest as the council would be a "benefiting party".

The protection society represented three marae in the area, as well as the Rongmaiwahine Iwi Trust.

Mr Ormond said he would read through the submissions before commenting, as it was becoming a "he said, she said" situation, but he thought the consent would be judged on its merits, rather than a "political numbers" game.

"Nothing has changed with the application since I last talked to you. I'm happy to stand up and be accountable ... I'd like to read all these submissions first, and read and validate these reports."