Go-Ahead Given to Waitara Endowment Lands Negotiations

New Plymouth District Council has given approval for the Mayor and Chief Executive to enter into a heads of agreement with Te Atiawa post-settlement governance entity (PSGE).

This agreement will advance a proposal for 40ha of historic endowment Waitara land to be returned to the iwi and for it to have the right of first refusal to purchase over other endowment land.

In exchange, the iwi would support the removal of all statutory trusts and restrictions on the use of any income and sale proceeds from the land through a local bill. This would pave the way for the Council to be able to offer to Waitara leaseholders the option to freehold their properties.

Any sale or rental income received by NPDC would be applied for the benefit of the Waitara community through a separate legal entity established for that purpose, including representation from Te Atiawa.

“Today’s decision by the Council will enable us to continue talking to each other with the aim of developing the full proposal,” says Mayor Andrew Judd.

“There are many details to work through and many people to talk with. At the end of the day, what we all want is a solution that benefits iwi, the wider Waitara community, leaseholders and the Council.”

When the discussions have concluded, the Mayor and Chief Executive will report back to the Council for its consideration.

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