Police Comment On Lake Horowhenua Rowing Club Dispute
By Alastair Thompson
In recent days Manawatu Area Commander, Inspector Sarah Stewart, responded to Scoop queries related to a series of
incidents which took place in Levin during an urgent hearing of the Waitangi Tribunal.
The responses which follow came after Scoop.co.nz posed several questions to Police National Headquarters - directed
initially to Superintendent Wallace Haumaha - around the apparently escalating conflict over the Horowhenua Rowing Club's presence at the lake.
Of particular concern to Scoop was a home invasion incident which occurred at the house of Anne Hunt on 7th October -
the night before she was due to give evidence to the Waitangi Tribunal. Anne Hunt has been a contributor to Scoop for
several years reporting on the long-running battle by the Lake Horowhenua owners to regain control over and clean up
their lake
The police subsequently arrested a 33 year old male and charged him with burglary in relation to the break in.
This morning Scoop has published a report on the latest developments at the lake by Anne Hunt. In addition to being an an investigative journalist and author, Anne is a former Levin District Councillor and
long-time supporter of Muaupoko Iwi representative and lake clean-up activist Phil Taueki. (For a detailed backgrounder on the history of the latest
chapter in the Lake Horowhenua dispute see.. All For The Love Of Lake Horowhenua -The Phil Taueki Story)
The questions that Scoop has been seeking to have answered by the Police and which are only partially answered in the
following statements from Inspector Stewart are:
1/ Is there "at this stage" an investigation into whether this is a case of Waitangi Tribunal witness intimidation - or
is the Police's position that these criminal acts which took place during the hearing are unrelated?
2/ On what legal basis are the Levin Police continuing to defend the rowing clubs access to the lake and possession of a
building, the lease on which has expired, given that the highest court in the land has declared that there is no lease
on the building and that it therefore belongs to the lake's owners?
3/ What was the role played by the Police in the initiation of the urgent Waitangi Tribunal Hearings into this matter?
On October 22nd Manawatu Area Commander, Inspector Sarah Stewart responded via Police National Office communications
officer Ross Henderson:
"Police is unable to comment further given the various court processes now underway. However, what we can say is that
are very clear in our legal position with regards to the current issues at the Horowhenua Domain, and await the
resolution of these matters before considering what, if any, further action may be required."
Earlier on October 16th Inspector Stewart provided a written statement saying:
"Police is very mindful of the issues surrounding the long running and complex dispute over the use of, and access to,
the Horowhenua Domain.
We appreciate there are a number of people in the community with passionate and conflicting views regarding this matter,
and that there are people within the community on both sides who feel frustrated over the ongoing dispute.
However, it is important that Police act independently and within the law while the various parties involved attempt to
find a resolution. Police have invested a great deal of time and resources in working through a range of issues that
have arisen in the course of this dispute and will continue to do so as appropriate. This has included calling on the
support of our Maori, Pacific and Ethnic Services team at Police National Headquarters, in the hope that we can maintain
a constructive dialogue with all those of involved.
Police is clear in its position that the courts are the appropriate body to resolve these issues, and it is not
appropriate for us to intervene in the resolution of the underlying land disputes.
We are also aware that the Trust, Domain Board and Mr Taueki have all sought to clarify matters relating to the use and
access to the Domain through the courts, and understand that the parties are currently awaiting a decision from the
Maori Land Court in this regard.
Police confirms they have arrested a male for a series of alleged burglaries in the Foxton area which are currently
before the courts. At this stage it is not believed the alleged incidents are in any way related to the issues at The
Horowhenua Domain.
In the meantime, Police will continue to assess any complaints or information received about alleged unlawful conduct
arising from this dispute. Complaints of criminal offending will be treated seriously and assigned to the appropriate
staff for further investigation and action as appropriate. "
ENDS