over proposed Hamilton housing project
Ngaati Wairere have filed a Treaty of Waitangi claim over a proposed housing project in Hamilton, saying they were never consulted despite strong historical ties to the site.
The site is currently the Sonning car park, which is owned by Hamilton City Council and is being considered for development.
But it is built on top of Opoia Paa whose rangatira, Poukawa, signed the Treaty of Waitangi.
Ngaati Wairere historian Wiremu Puke said the iwi only found out about the lack of consultation after an Official Information Act request was made about the proposal.
"There was no evidence of any consultation with Ngāti Wairere or Waikato-Tainui as well. We feel that's a breach of our Treaty rights, particularly given the significance of the Paa site," Puke said.
Link to article: Iwi file Treaty claim over proposed Hamilton housing project | RNZ News
