Plans to make tourists pay to visit Ohinemutu village and Te Papaiouru Marae have been put on hold until tourism venture operators have talked with marae trustees.
Plans for the new tourism venture at Ohinemutu were revealed in The Daily Post last week, when Ohinemutu Village Tours director Shaloh Mitere said
his new business planned to start charging tourists and locals a gold coin to enter Rotorua's oldest settlement. He also wanted to charge tour bus operators a larger fee to take tourists to Ohinemutu.
Prominent Ngati Whakaue kaumatua said they were outraged, as they had not been consulted about the new plans.
A hui was held at Te Papaiouru at the weekend between iwi and the operators.
Marae trustees could not be contacted yesterday but it is understood the venture has been put on hold until the operators have met with them.
A person who was at the meeting, but did not want to be named, said there was a huge turnout for the hui.
"It was very positive, everyone who wanted to say something got a chance to stand up and be heard.
"The outcome was that the trust were happy to sit down with the operators and discuss their proposal. No promises were made, but the trust are happy to talk and find a way forward."
Former Tumahaurangi Marae chairman, Terry Phillips, was pleased with the outcome.
"The iwi can work together to do what is best for our people," he said.
"Our people were never against the proposal. It was just that they hadn't been told about it."
