Post by Kiwi Frontline on Mar 15, 2019 5:09:00 GMT 12
Bay of Plenty Times 15/3/19
ELMS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE
The Elms Foundation owns and operates The Elms Te Papa Tauranga as an essential part of New Zealand's national cultural heritage, being one of New Zealand's oldest heritage sites.
Home to significant collections and category one listed heritage buildings, this tranquil setting is visited by thousands of people each year and remains at the centre of Tauranga's identity.
It was originally purchased from local iwi by Rev Brown in the 1830s. In other words, it has a history which has reflected Maori and European lifestyles since the formation of the Church Mission Society.
The new pavilion will enable more iwi input to this historical site and is an entrance welcomed by the Elms Foundation who, however, now apparently remain in limbo on its future.
The latest purchase in 2012 was funded by the Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust's $790,000, the Tauranga City Council's $400,000 and The Elms' $100.000. It meant The Elms had secured nearly all its boundary from the threat of commercial developments.
Why would the council give away land it has purchased (with ratepayer money) for the future development of The Elms and then agree to pay a rental?
Not only is this letting down the foundation and the residents of Tauranga but is providing the possibility of yet another future commercial enterprise and certainly yet another controlling input under Treaty auspices.
The council should now complete its ownership transfer for the purpose it was intended.
R.E.STEPHENS Papamoa Beach
sites.google.com/site/kiwifrontline/letters-submitted-to-newspapers
ELMS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE
The Elms Foundation owns and operates The Elms Te Papa Tauranga as an essential part of New Zealand's national cultural heritage, being one of New Zealand's oldest heritage sites.
Home to significant collections and category one listed heritage buildings, this tranquil setting is visited by thousands of people each year and remains at the centre of Tauranga's identity.
It was originally purchased from local iwi by Rev Brown in the 1830s. In other words, it has a history which has reflected Maori and European lifestyles since the formation of the Church Mission Society.
The new pavilion will enable more iwi input to this historical site and is an entrance welcomed by the Elms Foundation who, however, now apparently remain in limbo on its future.
The latest purchase in 2012 was funded by the Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust's $790,000, the Tauranga City Council's $400,000 and The Elms' $100.000. It meant The Elms had secured nearly all its boundary from the threat of commercial developments.
Why would the council give away land it has purchased (with ratepayer money) for the future development of The Elms and then agree to pay a rental?
Not only is this letting down the foundation and the residents of Tauranga but is providing the possibility of yet another future commercial enterprise and certainly yet another controlling input under Treaty auspices.
The council should now complete its ownership transfer for the purpose it was intended.
R.E.STEPHENS Papamoa Beach
sites.google.com/site/kiwifrontline/letters-submitted-to-newspapers