Four Rotorua District councillors have voted in favour of the Government retaining ownership of Rotorua's lakes, just days before a Treaty of Waitangi settlement with Te Arawa is expected to be announced.
Councillor Cliff Lee initiated the vote, which prompted heated debate at the council's finance and strategic planning committee meeting
this week.
His motion for the Government to retain ownership was supported by three other councillors but they were outvoted by nine colleagues.
Mayor Grahame Hall, who opposed the motion, said he did not necessarily want the 14 lakebeds in the Rotorua district handed back to Maori.
"I have no doubt that the community are concerned, but this will not solve their concerns," Mr Hall said.
The council's official stance remains that it supports the issue being resolved, as long as there is free and unimpeded access to the lakes.
Herald Feature: Conservation and Environment
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