Post by Kiwi Frontline on Jan 29, 2016 16:57:19 GMT 12
Ancestor burial belief not enough to hold up oil company's project in Taranaki
A Taranaki hapu's belief that a Te Atiawa ancestor is buried near a proposed well site is not enough to stop its construction, a court has ruled.
Following a hearing in September, Environment Court Judge Brian Dwyer released his finding on Friday in favour of Greymouth Petroleum's appeal against a Heritage New Zealand decision to decline an authority, which would have allowed the oil company to begin earthworks at its Kowhai D site near Tikorangi.
As part of the project,Greymouth wanted to establish a well site, access way and an underground pipeline in the area but Heritage New Zealand said the land involved was of cultural significance to Maori and required protection.
Part of this claim related to information Otaraua hapu member Rawiri Doorbar had provided to the agency about Te Atiawa ancestor Wiremu Kingi Te Rangitaake being buried near the well site. Te Rangitaake was a renowned Te Atiawa chief who peacefully opposed land sales. He was also a signatory to the Treaty of Waitangi.
While the grave itself was not going to be disturbed, the wider cultural values of tangata whenua would have been affected by the project, the agency claimed…..
www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/76379421/ancestor-burial-belief-not-enough-to-hold-up-oil-companys-project-in-taranaki.html
A Taranaki hapu's belief that a Te Atiawa ancestor is buried near a proposed well site is not enough to stop its construction, a court has ruled.
Following a hearing in September, Environment Court Judge Brian Dwyer released his finding on Friday in favour of Greymouth Petroleum's appeal against a Heritage New Zealand decision to decline an authority, which would have allowed the oil company to begin earthworks at its Kowhai D site near Tikorangi.
As part of the project,Greymouth wanted to establish a well site, access way and an underground pipeline in the area but Heritage New Zealand said the land involved was of cultural significance to Maori and required protection.
Part of this claim related to information Otaraua hapu member Rawiri Doorbar had provided to the agency about Te Atiawa ancestor Wiremu Kingi Te Rangitaake being buried near the well site. Te Rangitaake was a renowned Te Atiawa chief who peacefully opposed land sales. He was also a signatory to the Treaty of Waitangi.
While the grave itself was not going to be disturbed, the wider cultural values of tangata whenua would have been affected by the project, the agency claimed…..
www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/76379421/ancestor-burial-belief-not-enough-to-hold-up-oil-companys-project-in-taranaki.html
