Headland sale protesters leave Parliament

Maori protesters angry at the sale of famous Gisborne landmark Young Nick's Head Station to an American millionaire have disappeared from Parliament.

Spokesman Tutekawa Wyllie said at a hui over the weekend protesters had decided to maintain a 24-hour-a-day vigil at Parliament from Monday until they received assurances over the proposed $3.2 million sale.

However, protesters have not been seen in Parliament grounds since the decision was made.

Parliamentary security staff told NZPA today that protesters had told them they were returning to the East Cape due to flooding in the area.

Mr Wyllie was not available for comment this morning.

A Ngai Tamanuhiri hikoi pitched tents at Parliament last Tuesday, withdrawing on Friday to await the outcome of the hui.

At the hui Ngai Tamanuhiri decided to seek legal advice about taking out an injunction against Finance Minister Michael Cullen's decision last week to allow the sale of the 660ha headland owned by an overseas-based New Zealander to American financier John Griffin.

Dr Cullen said as part of the sale historic parts of the headland would be given to the Government and the remainder protected from commercial development.

Dr Cullen was dismissive of the threat of legal action saying that no attempt to overturn an approval for a land sale had ever been successful.

Mr Wyllie, a former New Zealand First MP, said at the hui Mr Griffin had been invited to discuss his plans for the site.

"The most important thing is to get more information to allow us to make a more informed decision," he said.

Parts of Mr Griffin's plan for the headland were impractical because of "huge conflicts between the conservation plan he is proposing and the viability of the farming business on the headland".

Fences would have to be moved and roads built to accommodate the plan and the proposed track to the summit at Young Nick's Head was unwalkable Mr Wyllie said.

Protesters were also against Dr Cullen giving the site to all New Zealanders.

"I don't believe all New Zealanders have an interest in it anyway," he said.

Ngai Tamanuhiri say the land is spiritually significant to them. It was also believed by some to be the first New Zealand land seen by Captain James Cook.

Dr Cullen said he had approved the sale but with Young Nick's Head, the cliffs, a pa site and the peak to go into public ownership.

Mr Griffin has also agreed to establish a covenant through the Queen Elizabeth 2 Trust to protect the rest of the land from commercial development.

Dr Cullen said the station needed investment to restore its production and conservation value, and Mr Griffin intended to upgrade, landscape and plant it. He would restore the manager's house and build a home for himself.

Mr Griffin said in a statement issued through his lawyers last week that he welcomed the approval under the terms announced by Dr Cullen.

- NZPA