Whanganui Chronicle front page today

Have been keeping things quiet lately on purpose with a lot of things going on in the background...until today. The article in the paper today was not of our doing. The bach-owners complained to the Chronicle today...not the Trust. There are two comments that one of the bachowners Mr Baron makes in the article which I will clear up. His first was that his family have been there for over one hundred years. Whanau have an urupa two kilometres from the beach which goes back further than that. Another view would be to think "they have been taking advantage of the situation for over a 100 years". Unfortunately his comment saying that they got permission from a farmer to build there is probably correct. The answer though is that the farmer has NEVER owned it. The bach-owners know they have been living on borrowed time for years and I totally empathise. There have been generations coming out and enjoying the white-baiting, the fishing, the isolation, the environment. It is a beautiful beach and I wouldn't want to go either if in the same position. However, we cannot cater to a small minority who are not beneficiaries, whose dwellings do not meet building code compliance and where they do not own the land. It is wrong. If the situation was reversed and we were building a bach on their beach I doubt very much the outcome would be any different. I advised some of them that we would invite them in for discussions once the Trust was in a position to move forward. Their response is to organise a meeting between themselves with a view to take us to Court. Really?! We are not stopping anyone from using the beach. We would never stop anyone using and enjoying the area. This could have been done with honour, respect and dignity... My opening line said I had been quiet lately. The article today will ensure that I cannot keep quiet any longer.

Vector Transmission Pipeline

Vector sent the Trust some information relating to the pipeline running through the middle of the property. Nice picture but somewhat amused as to whose idea it was in the first place to put it through the middle of a Maori-owned beach property...

Update 31 July 2012

Haven't said anything for a little bit but there are a few things going on in the background. * More dialogue with the Te Araroa Trust with things progressing ever so slightly. Haven't been involved myself (other trustees attending) but am appreciating being kept informed. * Lease being sorted. * Trust meeting processes starting to take shape. Certainly not finished...but started. * Baches situation hopefully will be progressed soon. Most stakeholders have had an opportunity to provide input and we are considereing options. * In discussions with different parties concerning land use options on under-utilised parts of the property. * Vector provided a free aerial map of the property showing the gas pipe-line. When you see it you have to question the wisdom of the "powers that be" of the time authorising it. "Do we just accept it?" * Have heard about a multi-national company exploring the West Coast of the North Island from South Taranaki to the Rangitikei River for ironsands. Looks like they are further down the track than anticipated. More research required before making any further comments. Things will certainly get interesting over the next few months and years...

Beach

Went out to the beach on Friday 25 May for a look around. Absolutely amazing. In the 3 months I last went out people have managed to build a new bach, a new caravan has popped up...and a bach has had a make-over...with no permission. Like I said "Absolutely amazing!!!"

Te Araroa - The Long Pathway

Thought I should make mention of this. We have been contacted by the Te Araroa Trust who want to include the area as part of the 3000km National walkway from Cape Reinga to the Bluff. The idea is that the trail come down the Whanganui River out the airport. From there it generally follows the beach down to the Whangaehu River. There is a feasibility study on what will happen from there with various bridge and route options but these are still to be finalised. The concept may or may not impact on us and will follow with interest.

Trust meeting 10am Saturday 26 May Wanganui RSA

Comments from Meeting 25 February 2012 Whangaehu Marae

Note: These comments are my own and not confirmed by the Trust yet

Attended by:
Aunt Lil Manawaroa
Tohe Manawaroa-Aweawe
Albert Thompson
Mary Wakefield
Mary Topine
Karen Boyce
Mary Topine
Davey Paki
Casey Paki

Nephew Nahona Paki (observer)

No apologies

-----

Voted and confirmed following positions:

Casey Paki - Chairman
Davey Paki - Deputy
Secretary - Mary Wakefield
Treasurer - Karen Boyce

More details of meeting to follow...