Iwi retracts opposition to wind farm

Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi will no longer oppose the building of a wind farm in South Taranaki.

In a statement released on Friday chair Te Pahunga Marty Davis said after four years of discussion with Trustpower it has reached an agreement and will withdraw opposition to the project in return for access and environmental and cultural inputs.

Tararua Wind Power, a subsidiary of Trustpower which recently demerged into a wind farm arm Tilt Renewables, plans to spend $325 million to build a 48-turbine wind farm covering 980 hectares on coastal land six kilometres southeast of Patea and seven kilometres southwest of Waverley.

The application to build the wind farm attracted 24 submissions, most of them against the proposal. The consent is due to be heard from May 22 in Hawera.

Mr Davis said "a critical step in this process has been helping Tararua Wind Power understand our painful history.

"This site was part of land confiscated by the government in the 1860s following the Taranaki land wars.

"The confiscation disconnected Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi from our land and resources.

"This left us with little or no opportunity to lead development on our own land. The terms of the agreement allows Ngaa Rauru to have a voice by being a part of this development."

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The measures agreed to include contributing to management plans for the restoration and enhancement of Waipipi Stream and the coastal landscape; protection measures for migratory bird species and translocation measures for freshwater fish and plant species; permanent access to the landlocked 20 hectare Waipipi block (a historically important hapuu village) has been facilitated, and Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi providing cultural monitoring and support to the windfarm project.

The withdrawal includes Te Kaahui o Rauru, the Waipipi Te Ahu Whenua Trust and Whenuakura, Wai-o Turi and Te Wairoa Iti Marae.

Tilt Renewables general manager for renewable development Clayton Delmarter said the company was pleased it could work with iwi and "address the majority of their concerns with the proposed development."

"We very much look forward to cementing a long-term relationship that brings with it real, sustainable benefits aligned with appropriate environmental and cultural values."