Grave land sale in doubt

Members of a New Plymouth hapu are against plans for council-owned land near the Te Henui Cemetery to be sold and want it returned to Maori.
The New Plymouth District Council is considering selling the former Parkscape depot site and adjacent land on Lemon St leading to the cemetery.
But Ngati Te Whiti Ahi Kaa says the area is ancestral land that should be returned to tangata whenua.
Ngati Te Whiti Ahi Kaa chairwoman Wikitoria Keenan was among the submitters who spoke at the council's policy committee meeting yesterday.
She said the land was set aside as native reserve in the 1880s and 11 hapu members had been listed as owners.
The area has since been taken under the Public Works Act, but Ms Keenan believes part of the title is still in Maori ownership.
Councillor Gordon Brown said the matter should be investigated before any sale.
"Otherwise it reeks of `thank you for your submission, but we're just going to go ahead and we prefer the pakeha version of history'."
The committee agreed that the issue lay on the table.
Of 13 submissions received on the proposal only two are in support of the area being sold. Most of the opposers want the land retained for public use. Others are concerned about traffic congestion and the effect any development would have on the cemetery.
Four submitters want the site used for community facilities such as a permaculture and sustainability education centre, a beach volleyball pit, a theatre or a senior citizens centre.
It is estimated the land, which is surplus to council requirements, could fetch at least $1.2 million.
Submitter Brenda Hall said the cemetery had a significant heritage value and the wrought iron cemetery gates should not be moved, even a short distance.
"The spirits should be left alone in peace. We cannot afford to lose this land to houses."
Another submitter, Suzanne Scott, said a lot of people used the area and selling it would be wrong.
Positive Aging Trust chairman John Cunningham said the area was ideal for a senior citizens community centre.
If this is not possible, the land should still be retained by the council and preserved for future generations, he says.
Mayor Peter Tennent said there was obviously a strong feeling in the community that the land should not be sold.
Committee chairwoman Elaine Gill says council staff will investigate issues raised by Ngati Te Whiti Ahi Kaa before the next full council meeting on May 22.

KRYSTI WETTONkrysti.wetton@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Wednesday, 2 May 2007