Bach owners on East Coast land being returned to iwi under Treaty of Waitangi settlement can continue to use an illegal road to get to their homes while the council works to solve the access issues.
Whanarua Bay s location, marked by the red pin.
Photo: Google maps
Te Whanau-a-Apanui were elated and celebrated with applause and waiata as Ōpōtiki District Council voted to return reserve land into iwi management on Tuesday.
Iwi spokesperson and councillor Louis Rapihana said there was a lot of shock when Mayor Lyn Riesterer announced the decision. The iwi is astounded and they can t stop jumping for joy that the council has agreed to return reserves that were taken off them many years ago, he said. It s huge and everyone is so blown away.
Rapihana declared a conflict of interest in the matter and did not vote or speak at the meeting.