Kia ora koutou e te whānau,  

As you may have heard the Ministry of Culture & Heritage’s camera and fences at Mataharehare have been removed due to a direction made by the landowner, the Waitematā Local Board.

The park has been returned to the citizens of Tāmaki Makaurau just in time for summer.

We are very grateful to the Waitematā Local Board for standing by their community.  The final fence truck left the site at 8.30pm Wednesday evening, with many of our community coming out during the day to witness the removal.  

The Landowner Approval for the Erebus Memorial lapsed on 7 December. The Local Board has deferred a decision on whether or not to extend it until next year, while they gather more information.  This decision is likely to come back before the Board in February or March 2023.  

If the Board choose not to extend Landowner Approval, the Ministry cannot proceed with its plans for this site.  

We will be ensuring the Local Board are fully aware of the strong feelings from mana whenua, our community, and Erebus families who oppose this site.  That includes the voices of the 25,000 who have signed the petition in opposition.

If you wish to write to the Waitematā Local Board and thank them for their support to date in removing the fences, you can do so at waitematalocalboard@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.  

You can also ask they do not extend Landowner Approval when the time comes and return this park untouched to the people of Waitematā forever.

We will keep you updated as matters unfold.  

In the meanwhile, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Meri Kirihimete me te Hape Nū Ia!

Margaret Brough and The Protect Mataharehare Team