An objection from a Kaipara hapu has halted the construction of Dargaville's new $6 million 50m swimming pool at Selwyn Park.
About 30 people attended an early morning "ground-breaking" ceremony on Monday when Te Kuihi representative Robert Parore asked for the proceedings to stop.
Mr Parore said proper
protocol had not been observed and the matter needed to be discussed with tangata whenua.
It is understood the proposed site is part of a Waitangi claim by Te Kuihi and the hapu had not been included in any consultation process.
Two Ngati Whatua kaumatua, who are not affiliated with Te Kuihi, agreed not to proceed with the blessing and Kaipara Mayor Neil Tiller called off the ceremony.
Murray Blade, commercial manager for Barfoote Construction, telephoned his "in transit" trucks and machinery to return to the depot.
Machinery was to have been secured on-site this week, and construction was scheduled to begin next week.
Kaipara District Council chief executive Jack McKerchar agreed that the correct protocols had not been followed.
He said the ground-breaking ceremony had been organised by the Kauri Coast Community Pool Trust, which was established three years ago to facilitate the building of a new pool.
Mr McKerchar met Mr Parore on Wednesday and agreed to conduct a full archaeological report on the site.
Richard Alspach, councillor liaison with the trust, said: "We respect Mr Parore's right to protect the mana of Te Kuihi and are grateful for the positive and cordial approach by Mr Parore."
Mr Alspach said the contractor was comfortable with the delay at this stage because off-site work for the project was still continuing.
Pool trust chairman Vern Stevens apologised to Mr Parore and Te Kuihi for not consulting them.
The council agreed in December to provide contingency funding of about $2.5 million to the trust and plans have moved quickly ahead to take advantage of the favourable working conditions.
Councillor Bill Guest, who was at Monday's ceremony, said he was extremely embarrassed by the situation. "Clearly, adequate consultation and due process has not been done."
He said the land at Selwyn Park had been vested in the council by the Department of Conservation in 1932 and it was not a freehold title.
- NORTHERN ADVOCATE
