Cape fire in wake of Maori tensions

By Angela Grregory

CAPE REINGA - Maori frustration over the Government's handling of Far North land claims could explain what appears to be a politically motivated arson and graffiti attack at Cape Reinga.

Police believe that before 5 am yesterday vandals set alight a small wooden storage building, also used by tour bus drivers for tea breaks. It burned to the ground.

The nearby shop was damaged by fire and the lighthouse and other buildings defaced.

The vandals smashed 34 windows in the Cape Reinga powerhouse, leading the Maritime Safety Authority to express fears that such damage could cause the light to fail with disastrous consequences.

Senior Sergeant Gordon Gunn, of Kaitaia, said graffiti sprayed around the complex included obscene remarks and political comments such as "stolen Ngati Kuri land."

The tour bus industry denounced the vandalism for harming tourism while shocked and angry Maori elders distanced themselves from the action.

But a Ngati Kuri trustee, Andrew Christie, welcomed the arson and said he suspected locals were involved because of growing frustration with the Crown.

Unresolved issues included stalled land claims and the inappropriate Cape Reinga complex located in Maoridom's spiritual pathway.

Mr Christie said that when he heard of the fire he travelled to the cape "to join the party."

"My personal feeling is good on them.

"The Department of Conservation knows quite well we find the presence of the buildings and toilets an abomination in our holy spot."

He understood the Ngati Kuri Trust Board would be disappointed because it felt it was finally making progress with the department over a planned iwi-built visitor centre at Cape Reinga.

But Mr Christie said there was frustration at the grassroots level, particularly over the lack of progress in settling the outstanding Muriwhenua land claim because the Government insisted on pan-tribal agreements.

Another Ngati Kuri trustee, Tom Bowling Murray, said he was sure the arson had nothing to do with his iwi as it would be "crazy," given the negotiations.
A Te Aupouri tour operator, Peter Kitchen, also suspected outsiders were responsible.

"This is going to make things horrible. If I find out who did it I'll pot them."

The executive director of the Bus and Coach Association, John Collyns, said tourists had already complained this year because the lighthouse was covered in scaffolding while it was being repainted.

"We fielded a lot of complaints because it is an icon and couldn't be photographed."

Mr Collyns said the graffiti would have to be dealt with urgently as it had an effect on tourism.

"People leave dissatisfied and that's bad news."

A director of Fullers Northland, Mike Simm, said the cape facilities were always inadequate but now not even usable.

He hoped the vandalism would at least hasten planned improvements to the area.