Dear Supporters,
I apologise for the absence of any updates on this issue for the last two months. I can assure you that we are actively and vigorously pursuing this issue on your behalf and are currently engaged in negotiations.
On Tuesday, 23 July, Ella Kumar, Jonathan Subritzky, and Fonoti Luke Gates (the organisers of the petition to restore Mt Roskill's cross), met at the offices of the Puketāpapa Local Board with members of the Local Board, the Tūpuna Maunga Authority ("TMA"), and the Mount Roskill (church) Ministers Association to discuss the future of the our cross.
You can read the notes from this meeting here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1i5zst750rv5yob/Cross%20Star%20mtg%20notes%20230719%20%281%29.pdf?dl=0
Mt Roskill Cross Public Consultation Process
At the 23 July meeting, the following was agreed:
That ownership of the issue pass to the Local Board to progress, if they agree to do so, ideally by way of a public consultation process to find a new home for the cross/star, including calling for public nominations, explanation of how we have got to this point (where tihi no longer appropriate), canvassing local views on the range of options and how they interact (eg temporary vs permanent at specific locations, cost).
NB: As the Local Board is unable to proceed with public consultation of this nature during the pre-election period, this will happen after the new local board is sworn in, in November 2019. Harry will endeavor to seek commitment from the Local Board to take ownership of the issue and begin to progress internal discussions, before that.
Our Perspective
From our initial representations at the TMA meeting on 6 May, it has been clear that the Authority are unwilling to return fully to the status-quo of before 2018, where the illuminated cross was erected on the summit at Christmas and Easter. The Authority have broad authority conferred by an Act of Parliament to make decisions of this kind, which has affected the nature of our negotiations with them on your behalf.
What we seek is an arrangement as close as possible to that before the cross was removed. We also seek to maintain the good-will of the TMA and the Local Board on this issue. Due to the political reality, it is unlikely an arrangement exactly the same as before can be achieved. However - I can tell you that both of the other parties are committed to accommodating the tradition of the cross, and have been open to very similar options for a future cross on or near Mount Roskill. We are heartened by these indications. We want our cross back as much as you do.
Where We Are Now
We are engaged in discussions with the Puketāpapa Local Board as to what the prospective public consultation process will look like. We may look at a sub-committee of the Local Board being established to work on this.
Summary
We have not yet arrived at agreement on possible solutions on where the cross will go. This is because the work is technical and political in nature: the members of the TMA must approve any negotiation process, as must the Local Board members. We appreciate your patience at this time.
As agreed at the 23 July meeting, Mr Harry Doig (Puketāpapa Local Board chairman) will present to the Local Board at the next meeting on Thursday, 15 August, a Notice of Motion to have the Puketāpapa Local Board take ownership of the issue by recommending that the Board undertake a public consultation process after November 2019.
This process will enable us to flesh out the details of where the cross may go in the future, in consultation with the general public.
Once the public consultation begins, you will have the opportunity to express your views. We will be letting you know of this opportunity, as it will be critical to ensuring the voice of Mount Roskill is heard on the issue of our cross.
Thank you for your continued support for our community's campaign.
Kind regards,
Jonathan Subritzky