by Alexander (Sandy) Milne

I sent Minister Shane Jones a letter about the new boat harbour in Whakatāne on July 23 and received a response on August 6:

Dear Minister Jones,

I politely suggest that you intervene in the major spat in Whakatāne regarding the plan to construct a Māori-managed boat harbour so far up the Whakatāne River, that it is unlikely to be used. (I’ve checked).

Construction would involve removal and disposal somewhere of over 400,000 cubic metres of toxic mill waste.

Local opposition is 10 to one against the proposal, the most recent from Riripeti Kingi, a Māori leader representing various hapū of Ngāti Awa.

I politely suggest that you call Whakatāne Mayor Dr Victor Luca, who is totally up to speed on this issue. He is an expert.

If you act promptly, you could be able to recover most of the $20 million which Ngāti Awa received from the Provincial Growth Fund.

Neryda McNabb, the editor of our newspaper the Whakatane Beacon, will confirm most of that heads-up, and could give you more.

With respect.

Minister for Regional Development Shane Jones replies:

Dear Sandy,

Thank you for your email dated 23 July 2024, regarding your concerns surrounding the Whakatāne Boat Harbour Development (Te Rāhui Herenga Waka).

The Te Rāhui Herenga Waka project is a partnership between Te Rāhui Lands Trust, Ngāti Awa Group Holdings Limited, Whakatāne District Council, and the Government (via Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit (Kānoa – RD), and Crown Regional Holdings Limited). Te Rāhui Herenga Waka Whakatāne 2021 Limited Partnership, led by Chair John Rae, is the company responsible for the project’s delivery.

I am aware that the contamination at the site is more complex and extensive than what was originally expected.

However, I understand that the Te Rāhui Herenga Waka Board is being advised by highly qualified expert consultants and it is on the advice of these experts that the project is being advanced.

The project is also subject to close oversight by Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

The project, on this Māori freehold land, will be transformational for the region, and removing contaminant materials allows Te Rāhui’s land to be restored and become more productive.

I have every confidence in the Board of Te Rāhui Herenga Waka, and the management of the project via Crown Regional Holdings Limited, and Kānoa – RD.

Yours sincerely.

Hon Shane Jones
Minister for Regional Development