A closed school is a headache for parents, children and teachers, yet planning appears to be scarce for up to 94 schools that could be affected by flooding as the tides rise. New Niwa models show Canterbury, Bay of Plenty and Waikato schools are the most likely to be hit by coastal flooding caused by up to 1 metre of sea level rise. Schools that could be in the flood risk zone after less than 50 centimetres of sea level rise include Napier Boys High, Kaiapoi High School and Opotiki College (see below for a full list). The rising tides could create flooding around school buildings and roads, affecting children s ability to get to and from classrooms. Seawater in pipes could cause toilets and sinks to back up, according to Niwa research. Despite this, the Ministry of Education had minimal adaptation plans in place.
The ancient Opihi Whanaungakore urupa is still used today. CHARLOTTE JONES / LDR
Iwi have made it clear they will not be participating in the “desecration” of their sacred, ancestral lands. At the final day of the hearing into the granting of a resource consent for a residential subdivision next to an ancient urupa in Whakatane, tangata whenua were adamant they would not take part in any accidental discovery protocol if koiwi (bones) were found during development – to do so would sever their whakapapa to the land and make a mockery of their role as kaitiaki, they said. Tanagata whenua are trying to stop Whakatāne District Council from granting consent for 240 residential sections and a 250-unit retirement village on land they consider to be wahi tapu and adjacent to the ancient coastal urupa Opihi Whanaungakore, which is still in use today.
Opihi Whanaungakore hearing: Ngāti Awa won t participate in desecration of sacred lands nzherald.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nzherald.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Ancient burial site Opihi Whanaungakore at centre of resource clash for new subdivision
16 Feb, 2021 09:29 PM
6 minutes to read
Iwi are fighting to stop a resource consent to turn this land in Whakatāne, which is wahi tapu, into a suburb featuring a retirement village. Photo / Charlotte Jones LDR
Iwi are fighting to stop a resource consent to turn this land in Whakatāne, which is wahi tapu, into a suburb featuring a retirement village. Photo / Charlotte Jones LDR
Charlotte is a Local Democracy Reporter based in Whakatane.
An urupa where bodies are ferried by waka and gravediggers are naked in accordance with ancient rites is at the centre of resource consent clash in Whakatāne.