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The Ngati Manuhiri Settlement Trust has performed a shock U-turn and come out in favour of Waste Management NZ’s (WM) plans to develop a massive new landfill in the Dome Valley.
A joint memorandum between WM and the Manuhiri Kaitiaki Charitable Trust was filed in the Environment Court this week saying that the parties had reached agreement and Ngati Manuhiri now supported the application.
The news was greeted with dismay and disbelief by opponents to the plans, with Fight the Tip’s Michelle Carmichael saying she was “absolutely shocked and disappointed”, while commenters online accused the settlement trust of selling out and failing to consult locals.
Up to now, the trust’s counsel, Jason Pou, has been forthright in his criticism of the lack of consultation with mana whenua by WM and its expert witnesses during the Environment Court appeal, which resumes at the end of the month.
Neither chairman Mook Hohneck or chief executive Nicola McDonald responded to attempts by Mahurangi Matters to contact them this morning.
Trustee Ringi Brown said the trust would be issuing a statement soon.
Omaha Marae chair Annie Baines said the settlement trust’s decision was heartbreaking and a disgrace.
“Our marae is the only Ngati Manuhiri marae and I can tell you 100% that we are dead against this dump and have always supported what Fight the Tip has done to oppose it. What these guys (the settlement trust) are doing, I have no idea. It’s a disgrace.
“A lot of the whanau are in shock. Why? Why would you ever agree to it? We have never had any part of their decision. It’s heartbreaking.”
