Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, alongside Hapū members, are opposed to a consent application to develop land directly adjacent to the ancient urupā, Ōpihiwhanaungakore. The consent application was made by MMS GP Ltd for a subdivision consent at 77 Bunyan Road, Piripai to the Whakatāne District Council. The resource consent application outlines developers’ plans to develop the Ōpihi Block into 240 residential lots, a retirement village, 13 access lots, eight reserve lots, and seven public road lots.
In the interests of kaitiakitanga, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa have opposed all forms of residential development at 77 Bunyan Road, because of its central location within a cultural landscape, including its close proximity to Ōpihiwhanaungakore Urupā, Ōhuirehe Urupā, Ōriini, Whakatāne River, and the coast.
The consent hearing will be held between 15th and 18th of February 2021.
Ngāti Awa whānau can attend any part of the consent hearing.
The hearing dates, locations, and times are as follows:
| Monday 15th February | Whakatāne District Council Chambers, Civic Centre, Commerce Street. | Presentation of Applicant’s Case. | 9am – 5pm |
| Tuesday 16th of February | Te Hokowhitu-A-Tū Marae | Presentation of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, Ōpihiwhanaungakore Trust and Ngāi Taiwhakaea Submissions. | Pōhiri at 9am Hearing commencing at 10am – 5pm. |
| Wednesday 17th February (AM) | Te Hokowhitu-A-Tū Marae | Presentation of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, Ōpihiwhanaungakore Trust and Ngāi Taiwhakaea Submissions. | 9am – 12pm |
| Wednesday 17th February (PM) | Whakatāne District Council Chambers, Civic Centre, Commerce Street. | S42a Report Authors | 1pm – 5pm |
| Thursday 18th February | Whakatāne District Council Chambers, Civic Centre, Commerce Street. | Applicant’s Reply | 9am – 5pm. |
