Ngāti Awa marae receive renovations funding

A funding application made by twelve Ngāti Awa marae for marae renovations, supported by Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, has been successful. The applicants will receive $4.8m to renovate and upgrade their marae facilities. The funding was approved by government prior to the 17 October election.

Alf Morrison, Chair of Uirāroa Marae Trustees said “Being able to upgrade our marae and working for the benefit of our hapū is really great. Employing our people and doing the marae up means our people and our marae get direct instant results”.

The Marae Renovation funding will create employment for Ngāti Awa people and suppliers and local tradesmen and women.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa Manahautū Leonie Simpson says “The application was pulled together quickly, and marae were very engaged and responsive. Marae and hapū are very capable of leading development like this, and the funding accelerates their ability to do so”.

The twelve Ngāti Awa marae to receive funding are: Puawairua, Te Hokowhitu a Tu, Pukeko, Uiraroa, Tuteao, Tuariki, Pupuaruhe, Rangataua, Rewatu, Ruaihona, Te Rangihouhiri (Whakatāne and Te Teko) and Motiti island (Ruakopiha and Te Hihi Taua).   Other Ngāti Awa marae to receive funding include Te Whare o Toroa, Te Paroa and Te Mapou.

There are twenty two hapū of Ngāti Awa, and nineteen marae.

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For more information:

https://ngatiawa.iwi.nz/who-are-ngati-awa/nga-hapu
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/3100-jobs-created-through-marae-upgrades
https://www.growregions.govt.nz/about-us/funded-project-announcements/

Ngāti Awa Iwi and hapū leaders, kaumātua and rangatahi have united at the High Court in Rotorua today to fight a proposal by Creswell New Zealand Limited (Creswell), to extract 1.1 billion litres of water per year from the Awaiti Canal Aquifer in Otakiri for water bottling. Ngāti Awa is progressing this appeal through Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa.

Creswell is a subsidiary of Chinese soft drinks giant Ngonfu Spring, headquartered in Hangzhou, China. Otakiri is a small rural settlement a short distance from Whakatāne and within the Ngāti Awa rohe.

Ngāti Awa first opposed the Creswell proposal in 2018, concerned that the proposal would have irrevocable and negative effects on te mauri o te wai, and that Ngāti Awa would not be able to carry out their roles as kaitiaki for a resource once it has been removed. This argument was summed up by Ngāti Awa pukenga and former Rūnanga Chair Dr. Hohepa Mason when he described it as: “too much water, to be sold, too far away”.

Leonie Simpson, Manahautū (CEO), Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa says: “He taonga te wai – water is an inherited treasure. Once it has been removed from our rohe our wai will never return. As kaitiaki and mana whenua we have a responsibility to act when decisions impact the natural resources within our rohe.

“In relation to the Creswell proposal this amounts to excessive amounts of our taonga being exported offshore and the impact this has on te mauri o te wai and our ability to be kaitiaki.

“We are also concerned about the wider allocation of freshwater rights in Aotearoa. Many of these consents are historical and are being bought up by investors all over New Zealand, who are simply attracted by the very high profits they can make. Allocation just keeps moving without any qualitative assessment on whether this is an appropriate use of water.”

Joe Harawira, Tumuaki (Chairman), Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa says: “We are focused on developing projects and businesses that are sustainable and create long-term meaningful opportunities for our Ngāti Awa people. Creswell plans to take a vital, scarce and precious resource forever.

“The benefits of the water, and the vast majority of the profits, will be enjoyed overseas. We cannot stand by and allow this project to progress unimpeded to the denigration of te mauri o te wai and our role as kaitiaki.”

The Creswell proposal includes plans to develop a manufacturing plant on site in Otakiri with the capacity to produce 1,800 single use plastic bottles per minute. Much of the water is destined to be exported to China, where artisanal New Zealand spring water sells at a premium.

Ngāti Awa are also concerned about water quality within their rohe. Residents of Whakatāne drink water with an E rating, the lowest acceptable level for human consumption in New Zealand, while residents living in Murupara and Kawerau also suffer from a poor-quality drinking water[1]

Ngāti Awa are determined that the views of New Zealanders who are overwhelmingly opposed to water bottling for bulk exports are not ignored. They have recently called upon the Whakatāne District Council and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council to back an initiative supporting a moratorium on applications to take water for bulk export and for councils to take a more holistic view of the potential effects of the current industry.

“Successive governments have failed to address the very real issue of water rights in Aotearoa. It is only fair that government work with Iwi and hapū as partners to address the issues of water quality, allocation and broader issues that impact our environment. In a country impacted by severe drought and water shortages it is nothing short of negligent to give this taonga away.

“To allow this project to progress will be a terrible mistake and not lead to positive outcomes for our mokopuna (future generations).” added Leonie Simpson.

-Ends-

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:

Bianca Ruakere: 021 453189

Notes to Editors:

Ngāti Awa are the descendants of Te Tini o Toi, the original inhabitants of the Eastern Bay of Plenty region, and the people who arrived on the Mataatua waka. Today Ngāti Awa represent 22 hapū and have 19 marae. For more information please visit the website: https://ngatiawa.iwi.nz/

Nongfu Spring is China’s largest supplier of packaged water and ranks as one of the top 20 beverage companies in China. They were founded in 1996 and are headquartered in Hangzhou, Zheijang Province, China. Creswell New Zealand Limited are a subsidiary of Nongfu Spring. For more information please visit the website: https://www.nongfuspring.com

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[1] Source: ESR/Drinking Water for New Zealand: https://www.drinkingwater.esr.cri.nz/

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

13 March 2020

Iwi and Council successfully attract funding for major Whakatāne Regeneration projects

Te Rāhui Lands Trust, Ngāti Awa Group Holdings Limited, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa and Whakatāne District Council are excited to announce their successful applications to the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF).

Minister Shane Jones announced today that a contribution of more than $36 million will be made towards three significant projects with wide-reaching benefits for the Whakatāne District.

The development of a new boat harbour, the revitalisation of the town centre and riverfront and the transformation of the Whakatāne Army Hall will go ahead as part of a suite of joint applications under the Whakatāne Regeneration Programme.

The Government’s Provincial Growth Fund has committed a  total of $19.6 million to the boat harbour development, $9.6m to the Riverfront Revitalisation project and $7.6 million to Kāinga, (home, village, residence) the transformation of the Whakatāne Army Hall into a vibrant destination for local, national and international visitors.

Ngāti Awa Group Holdings Limited (NAGHL) Chair Paul Quinn says the community is still recovering from the impact of the Whakaari tragedy and so this announcement is gratefully welcomed.

“This is an important opportunity for NAGHL to work with the Trust and the Council as we find ways to contribute, lift productivity and participate in the regional economy together,” he says.

Whakatāne District Mayor Judy Turner agrees, saying the collaboration represents a defining moment for the region and signals an incredible opportunity for economic development and  transformational uplift across the whole District.

“The benefits of both projects to local business and the community are huge. This is about working in partnership and identifying ways we can realise our long-term aspirations for our people,” says Mayor Turner.

“Whakatāne is home to two of the three largest aluminium boat builders in the country. The investment in a new boat harbour will allow us to deliver the fit-for-purpose infrastructure to drive more growth and employment in the marine and tourism sectors.”

“Transforming the town and riverfront areas will increase private sector investment and create a vibrant town centre for our community to enjoy, as well as supporting Whakatāne on the journey to become a world-class small-town destination for tourists,” she says.

It is estimated that through these two projects a total of 930 jobs could be created by 2050 with at least 450 of those roles operational in the next decade.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa Chair Joe Harawira says the Kāinga project will provide a physical ‘heart’ to the Whakatāne town centre and complement the riverside regeneration aspirations.

“Kāinga will promote and celebrate our unique heritage, culture and stories. This new destination will support iwi, wider community, recreational and commercial activities and create a gathering place for manuhiri (visitors) and locals.”

Te Rāhui Lands Trust Chair Brian Simpson says the Trust will play a lead role in the boat harbour development.

“This is a historical moment for us as we undertake this work in partnership to realise our collective goals,” says Mr Simpson.

“For us, it’s about taking a balanced approach. As kaitiaki we will ensure that the mauri of our whenua and the river will be enhanced by the project while also creating a development that will provide a sustainable solution for the marine sector.  The project will deliver intergenerational outcomes for our owners, hapū and the wider Whakatāne community.”

This announcement secures funding to key catalytic infrastructure projects that are seen as essential to unlocking the Eastern Bay of Plenty’s economic future, says Mayor Judy.

 “It’s an exciting time for the whole Eastern Bay. We are delighted at the opportunity to co-invest with Central Government to accelerate these investment opportunities and the benefits they will bring to our region,” she says.

The project partners look forward to engaging the wider community and seeking specific feedback that will go towards shaping the Whakatāne Regeneration projects within the scope of the funding programme.

ENDS

Editor notes:

Benefits from boat harbour and riverfront revitalisation projects by numbers:

• More than 450 jobs by 2030 (direct and indirect)
• More than 930 new jobs by 2050 (direct and indirect)
• More than $80m local GDP growth per annum
• Opportunity to attract $100m private investment in CBD
• $111m additional GDP contribution by 2050

MEDIA STATEMENT Hon Shane Jones Minister for Regional Economic Development 13 March 2020   Strictly embargoed until 9.40am Whakatāne to get $36.8m PGF boost
The Government is investing $36.8 million into waterfront and visitor projects that will help transform Whakatāne and the wider eastern Bay of Plenty region, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today. The investment in three projects, through the Provincial Growth Fund and the New Zealand Upgrade Programme, will help build the local economy, create hundreds of jobs, attract future investment and unlock tourism and cultural and commercial opportunities across the district. The investment will support the development of a new commercial boat harbour, revitalisation of the riverfront and town centre, and the development of a new visitor hub and cultural centre. “These projects are part of the Whakatāne Regeneration Programme jointly developed by Whakatāne District Council and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa to boost their marine and tourism sectors,” Shane Jones said. I’m particularly pleased to make this announcement of Government support for this town and region following the recent Whaakari/White Island tragedy. We back our regions in times of need.” The Boat Harbour Development project will receive a $19.6m PGF investment made up of an equity stake loan and grant. The Whakatāne Riverfront Revitalisation project will receive a $9.6m loan and the Ngāti Awa Kāinga project will receive a $7.6m investment via a Crown equity stake in the development. “ The harbour development will give commercial users in Whakatāne better facilities that will increase the economic returns of the wharf as a critical asset for the local community.“ To be situated on a 10.9ha block of Māori freehold land, it will address the need for more berths and offer better protection from the dynamic river environment,” Shane Jones said.“ The Riverfront Revitalisation programme is a vital part of the overall regeneration programme that seeks to establish a world-class, small town destination. It includes a significant upgrade to the riverfront promenade and the remediation and improved accessibility of the existing town wharf.“ The Kāinga project will see the Whakatāne Army Hall transformed into a visitor hub that will be the focal point for cultural and historical storytelling, retail, and a space for training, meetings and civic events.“ I’m confident these developments will create a sense of vibrancy and optimism in the community, create 453 new direct and indirect jobs by 2030 and provide permanent benefits for the town and the region,” Shane Jones said. Notes to editors: Funding from the Provincial Growth Fund is approved in principle and announced, after which contracts are negotiated. Some funding may depend on completion of business cases. Payments are made once agreed milestones are met. These are set as part of contract negotiations, and differ from project to project.