Protesters occupy Young Nicks Head

By JO-MARIE BROWN

Political pressure is growing for the Government to intervene in the proposed sale of Young Nicks Head after protesters began an indefinite occupation of the East Coast headland yesterday.

New York financier John Griffin is awaiting approval from Finance Minister Dr Michael Cullen on his offer to buy the 661ha property for $3.2 million. The Overseas Investment Commission recommended the sale proceed.

Dr Cullen has deferred any decision until next month to allow Mr Griffin and local iwi Ngai Tamanuhiri, who oppose the private sale, time to reach a compromise over future ownership.

Mr Griffin had not responded to Ngai Tamanuhiri's proposed conditions so around 50 people, Maori and Pakeha, began occupying the site at dawn yesterday. However, in a news release last night he said he was willing to safeguard the land for all New Zealanders.

"I'd take advice on which organisation is the most appropriate to create a covenant that would protect all historical and culturally significant sites and ensure that the peninsula could never be developed," he said.

Protest spokesman Tutekawa Wyllie, a former NZ First MP, said the group wanted to buy the cliffs comprising around 200ha of the property from the new owner to protect the site as a historical icon for all New Zealanders.

Young Nicks Head was spiritually important to Maori and was the first sighting of New Zealand by Captain James Cook.

Ngai Tamanuhiri tried to buy the station when it went on the market 15 months ago but could not afford it. But they say they can raise the $800,000 needed to buy the cliffs.

Mr Wyllie said the iwi did not oppose Mr Griffin farming the remaining land and would ensure appropriate conservation strategies were put in place so the cliffs would be accessible to everyone.

Protesters acknowledged their occupation was illegal as the property was already privately owned by a New Zealander living in Australia. Dr Cullen yesterday said news of the occupation would not influence his decision on the sale. He has previously said the Government was likely to impose conditions before giving approval, including a guarantee that the public would have access to sites of historic and archaeological interest.



But both the Green Party and New Zealand First yesterday called on the Government to halt the sale.

Green MP Nandor Tanczos and the party's East Coast candidate, Catherine Delahunty, visited the protesters to lend their support.

Green co-leader Rod Donald said the party's policy was to stop selling land to foreigners unless they come to live in New Zealand.

NZ First leader Winston Peters criticised the Government for not announcing its decision on the sale before the election.