Latest Breaking News On - Rob van voorthuysen - Page 4 : comparemela.com

Opihi Whanaungakore hearing: Ngāti Awa won't participate in 'desecration of sacred lands'

Opihi Whanaungakore hearing: Ngāti Awa won t participate in desecration of sacred lands 18 Feb, 2021 07:51 PM 9 minutes to read Whakatāne overlooking the ancient coastal urupa Opihi Whanaungakore in background . Photo / File Charlotte is a Local Democracy Reporter based in Whakatane. 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 Whakatāne, 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.

Planned retirement village, residential development, would 'dishonour and disrespect' cultural land, says iwi

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'

Iwi tell council: 'This development threatens our relationship to the land'

Ancient burial site Opihi Whanaungakore at centre of resource clash for new subdivision

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.