Kia ora koutou e te whānau,

We trust you are well and are looking forward to Matariki as much as we are? We invite you to read our latest update about all the steps in bringing this matter to resolution.

Chief Ombudsman

We are still waiting on the results of the investigation by the Chief Ombudsman into Auckland Council for the non-notification of resource consent and their consultation process.  It is anticipated that this will be released in another few weeks.

Ministry of Culture and Heritage

The Ministry of Culture and Heritage have initiated a process that they refer to as “facilitation” and we have sought clarification from the Ministry on several key matters.  Our request was for mediation; a more formal process governed by best practice guidelines for all parties to abide by.  The Ministry has yet to agree to that.  According to the Ombudsman, this would be a reasonable step for the Ministry to take.   We have also advised the Ministry that it is reasonable to wait until we have received all the information including the Ombudsman’s investigation into Auckland Council before engaging in any reconciliation process.

Mediation

If we do proceed to mediation, we will be seeking your feedback on any proposed resolution. For those of you who identify as Erebus families or friends of Erebus families who would like to be involved directly, then please email us at contact@sosnz.org.nz to enable us to assist you to ensure your views are heard. All contact details will be retained in confidence and only for the purpose of engaging with interested people about any potential mediation. The definition of “an Erebus family” from the Ministry of Culture and Heritage’s perspective, is anyone who feels grief from the Erebus accident and the events that followed, so please do let us know if you want to be included.

Petitions Select Committee

We have had an update from the Petitions Select Committee who have advised that, given the report from the Ombudsman and his recommendation that the Ministry attempt to resolve the grievances caused as a result of their deficient and unreasonable process, they have put our petition on hold for 6 months and will seek an update in November 2022.  While we have not heard from the Māori Affairs Committee, we believe they too have put their process on hold for now, while we work through the resolution of the grievance caused.

What is happening on site

The Ministry have undertaken not to commence any works on site, while the process unfolds, so you will not see us on the gates for now.  We have requested that the Ministry remove the intrusive fencing and camera and return full use of the park to the community.  To date, they have not responded to that request.   

The rāhui on site has been sanctioned by the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei taumata, kaumatua and kuia and fully endorsed by Kīngi Tūheitia and the Kīngitanga and we have advised the Ministry that the rāhui will only be lifted when Te Hā and the whenua that sustains him is fully protected.

We will be in contact again as soon as we have any further updates.

As always thank you for your ongoing support to protect what exists.

Ngā mihi nui,

Dame Naida Glavish, Margaret Brough and the Protect Mataharehare Team