Interest in last week's hearing was so strong that two conference rooms were needed, the courtfirst hearing evidence from 10 expert witnesses representingthe Minister of Education, who argued that any adverse environmental effects from the proposal would be less than minor, and could be mitigated with conditions imposed.
A cultural impact assessment was not considered necessary.
Miss Diana Ellis, who represented herself, and 11 witnesses, including Te Hikutu kaumatua, a number of Hokianga community members and expert witness Andreas Kurmann, were heard on the final day. Miss Ellis' witnesses told the court that building the new school would not only place the Koutu Point marine ecosystem and its environment at risk, but more importantly the designation was culturally insensitive and detrimental to the cultural, social, health and well-being of the whanau, hapu and iwi of Whirinaki and wider communities of the Hokianga.
Te Hikutu kaumatua Ben Morunga, Anania Wikaira and Arthur Wynyard said they and the hapu o Hokianga laid the blame at the feet of the Ministry of Education. There was no animosity between the kaumatua/hapu and the kura. They offered a "most humble" apology if anyone had been offended.
Meanwhile, Miss Ellis noted a "direct contrast" between the current Ngapuhi Treaty settlement claims process and the Environment Court appeal, which she said validated the view that institutionalised prejudices still existed.
