Tribe wants mountains and park back

One of the country's largest tribes is seeking control of Tongariro National Park to defend the mountains from "desecration".

Tuwharetoa's paramount chief has called for greater iwi control in the park's management, claiming the tribe was bullied into gifting the land.

Tumu te Heuheu said the tribe wanted greater involvement in control of the former ancestral lands, including the park and the mountain peaks of Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu.

The 79,500ha park is one of New Zealand's major tourist attractions. Its mountain slopes and world-class ski fields attract up to one million people every year.

But Mr te Heuheu said the tribe had become increasingly frustrated by the number of tourists and commercial operators cashing in on the natural attraction and iwi had been marginalised.

Speaking at a Waitangi Tribunal National Park inquiry, he said the mountains had been desecrated through pollution, the construction of infrastructure and commercial activities that took place on the slopes.

"We want everyone to continue to enjoy our national park, but we also want to ensure that the mountains are treated with respect."

At the tribunal, sitting at Otukou Marae at Lake Rotoaira, Mr te Heuheu also disputed a Government claim that the mountain peaks were gifted to the nation by his great-great-grandfather of Horonuku te Heuheu IV.

Mr te Heuheu, who is also chairman of the World Heritage Committee, said misunderstanding over the definition of gift meant his ancestor didn't understand the consequences of transferring the peaks to the Crown.

"There is an enormous chasm between the two cultures in their understanding of what was meant by the 'gift'. In 'gifting' the Tongariro peaks, my great-great-grandfather never intended the Crown would assume sole ownership and control of the mountains."

The peaks were gifted to the Crown in 1887. The decision followed moves by the Maori Land Court to carve up Tuwharetoa lands into individual title, a situation that the chief feared would see the sacred mountain and burial site of ancestors sold or taken.

Mr te Heuheu said the mountain peaks were gifted to the Crown as a last resort.

"Fearing that the sacred Tongariro mountains would be lost if he did not act, Horonuku te Heuheu extended an invitation to Queen Victoria to join him in protecting the sanctity of the mountains."

But expectation that the mountains would remain off limits to all were not realised.

Mr te Heuheu said the tribe had not spoken publicly about its concerns before but concerns over pollution from high tourist numbers and commercial operators had forced it to go public.

"We are trying to ensure the Crown is aware of our views. We want a greater role in how things are managed, environmentally and commercially."

Ngati Tuwharetoa spokesman Paranapa Otimi said the tribe wanted tribal lands and mountains to be kept sacrosanct.

"It is very clear we want our rights returned to us, so we can do what we think is our cultural and traditional rights to do."

He said the tribe would accept the tribunal's decision before continuing discussion with neighbouring iwi over future management of the area.

But news of the claim surprised Turoa and Whakapapa skifields spokesman Mike Smith.

"I can't really comment on it without knowing about it ... but I can say that we work very closely with Ngati Tuwharetoa and have done so for many years.

"We've been on the mountain for over 50 years and think we are an extremely responsible company."

Paul Green, from the Department of Conservation, said every effort was being made to preserve the park's beauty.


National Park

* Tongariro National Park was formed in 1887, the first national park to be established in New Zealand and the fourth in the world.

* One of three New Zealand sites inscribed on the World Heritage List.

* The area attracts 500,000 trampers and walkers annually, with ski fields attracting 400,000.

- Additional reporting Maggie McNaughton