26 November 2019
STATEMENT ON LOG BARGING PROPOSAL
Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou will keep a close watch on Hon Shane Jones’ proposal for a log barging facility at Hicks Bay. Jones, the Minister for Regional Economic Development, signaled his intentions in an article on Stuff yesterday.
In 2018, the Wharekahika Hicks Bay community roundly opposed a logging port proposal involving Ngati Porou Holding Company, a subsidiary of Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou (TRONPnui).
TRONPnui chairman, Selwyn Parata, says that the port proposal was dropped once the community decided against it. “At the end of the day, a project of this size and impact needs the people to be on board if it’s going to have any real chance of success”.
“It is vital that the processes for these types of initiatives respects the mana of local hapu over their takutai moana, and other customary resources,” says Mr Parata. “That is a bottom-line expectation when you are dealing with Ngati Porou.”
Mr Parata said that the Minister’s proposal, if it proceeds, must allow for a full assessment of its overall impacts –social, cultural and environmental as well as economic.
“Yes, new jobs and prosperity will do a lot to improve conditions for our whanau at home. But, they are also concerned about their duties as kaitiaki, and the health of the fisheries and other resources they will pass on to their mokopuna.”
ENDS
Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou • Te Tini o Porou, 75 Huxley Road, PO Box 394, Gisborne 4040 • Tel 06 867 9960 • Fax 06 867 5335 www.ngatiporou.com