Treaty grievances aired

Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai, left, and deputy mayor Sharon Morgan joined claimant Hoori Tuhiwai after the Waitangi Tribunal was welcomed on to the Korokota Marae.

Use of the Public Works Act to take hapu lands at Omiru (also known at the Wairua Falls) for a scenic reserve and hydro-electric power station was among Treaty grievances aired during the Waitangi Tribunal hearing of Mangakahia claims on Korokota Marae at Titoki this week.

Hoori Tuhiwai addressed Omiru issues yesterday when he spoke in support of the Te Parawhau Wai 2235 claim during the sixth week of stage 2 hearings for the tribunal's Te Paparahi o Te Raki inquiry.

Earlier, Richard Nathan said tidal flows affecting the Mangakahia River as far inland as the Te Aroha Marae at Parakao meant the river was part of the foreshore and seabed.

With snapper and mullet found well up the river, his brief of evidence suggested the tribunal should make recommendations on his hapu being allocated fisheries quota.

Mr Nathan said "gross and crass" land dealings associated with Crown control over the Te Tari o Rahiri had denied access to the sacred mountain and prevented Maori use of timber resources in the Maungakohatu block.

His brief of evidence said the Crown should put a road into the landlocked block, return the sacred land to the Te Aroha Marae and come up with a plan to provide hapu employment through timber extraction from Ngapuhi forests over 50ha.

The Mangakahia hearing winds up today.

The week 7 Mahurangi taiwhenua hearing will be held on February 10-14 with the week 8 Hokianga hearing on April 7-11 completing the first rotation for stage 2 of the tribunal inquiry.

A judicial conference has been set down for June 16 to consider the next steps for the inquiry.

Te Kotahitanga o nga Hapu Ngapuhi spokesman Pita Tipene said the people of Mangakahia had been thrilled to see Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai and deputy mayor Sharon Morgan, who is the Mangakahia ward councillor, attend the Korokota Marae powhiri for the tribunal.