Ngāti Hinekura of Ngāti Pikiao at Lake Rotoiti are pushing ahead with their Whangamoa Trust papakāinga development, despite facing ongoing legal challenges from a non-resident developer homeowner in their village.
The proposed 28-unit housing project, situated near Otaramarae Marae at Pounamunui, has drawn criticism allegedly from some neighbours who allege there was a lack of public notice during the approval process.
However, Whangamoa Trust shareholder Karen Vercoe of Ngāti Hinekura has dismissed these objections, describing them as “smoke and mirrors” and noting that many of those opposing the development do not even reside in their Lake Rotoiti village. “Actually, we’ve got some beautiful things that are happening here at our marae, just far supersedes a small group of people, of which half don’t even live in Rotorua,” she said.
Vercoe emphasised that the project team has adhered to all necessary legal requirements. “I’m very proud of our Papa Kāinga team and our trustees because they have followed the letter of the law that’s required,” she said. “So, his request around public notification is actually not a request to us. That’s a request back to Rotorua Lakes Council.”
Rotorua Lakes Council Mayor Tania Tapsell has expressed support for the development, highlighting the critical need for housing in the region. “We are always excited about any Papakāinga development because we know that we still have a housing crisis, we see the brunt of it when we see people sleeping rough in the streets,” Tapsell said. “We actually made changes recently to do that, so before the Papa Kāinga specifically housing only around the marae development, now we know that Papa Kāinga means much more to our Rotorua residents and this region.”
While developer Tim Manning has threatened High Court action over the Papa Kāinga development, the mana whenua landowners are both reminding the public that Māori land is not public land and inviting opponents to engage in direct dialogue.
Vercoe reiterated the importance of face-to-face communication and issued this direct challenge to their non-resident landowners; “We’re the land owners, we are from here. So, you know again Tim, if you’re listening to this we’re happy to have a hui. The hui will have to be at the marae committee on the 3rd Sunday of every month.”
