Media release
19 May 2005

Land transfer approved for Te Atatu Marae

Waitakere City Council has formally approved the transfer of 2.5 hectares of land at Harbourview-Orangihina for a future marae on the Te Atatu foreshore.

The council agreed in principle two years ago to earmark the land for a marae project.

The land transfer depends on a decision from the Environment Court, relating to a proposed Waitakere’s District Plan change to allow marae activities on the land.

The land is to be transferred to a trust under the Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993.

The council set a timeframe of three years from the date that the land is formally vested under the Act in a trust, for the development of the project, with provision for extending the date.

Mayor Bob Harvey says he sees the Te Atatu Marae development process as “similar to that of the Trusts’ Stadium. There was very little they could do until they got the land. Once that happened, fundraising began to happen. I see the same thing happening with the marae.

“Maori are a people in evolution and their future is exciting. That’s why the proposed marae at Te Atatu is so important. It is a place for the future, for the whole Te Atatu community.

“Te Atatu marae will be the third urban marae in Waitakere City and it will build on the success of the first – Hoani Waititi – which now has an international reputation.

“Just as Te Atatu is the place of the new dawn; so this marae will also be a new dawn,” says Mayor Harvey.

The Te Atatu Marae Development Group presented the council with a preliminary design concept for a marae. Te Puni Kokiri has provided initial funding for the project’s planning and design phases.

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