Development threat to historic sites

Waiwera residents fear that a significant part of the area’s history could be lost if an early European cemetery and nearby Maori archaeological site are not protected from development.

The sites are at 42 Werenui Road on privately owned land.

Recently, Pat Allen, on behalf of the cemetery subcommittee of Waiwera Residents Association, sought protection for the sites from Auckland Council by nominating them for historic heritage evaluation.

Allen says that the Waiwera community and Ngati Manuhiri support the protection of the sites, which have not been maintained by landowners. The Maori sites were also damaged by earthworks around 10 years ago.

He says the community hopes that if heritage protection is granted, it will be possible to clean up and maintain the areas.

Heritage NZ wrote a report for Council on the sites in 2014, as part of action Council took against the landowner at that time, regarding illegal earthworks.

The report details a cemetery with at least six known graves dated between 1882-1905, including gravestones, some surrounded by wrought iron railings, overgrown with vegetation.

There are three sites associated with Maori occupation – a terrace/pit and two midden ovens.

Heritage NZ recommends that the cemetery and Maori sites be protected from any future development by a covenant on the property’s title, that the area be formally recognised as a historic cemetery and that further archaeological assessment is undertaken. Allan notes that no action has been taken on these recommendations in the intervening eight years.

The Werenui Road property, owned by land developer/subdividing company Everlast Enterprises, was listed for sale in July last year, but has not sold.

“Unless Council acts now, the sites could be lost forever,” Allan says.

The application went into Council last month and a spokesperson says that any assessment of heritage protection takes time.

The first stage, currently underway, is for staff to consider whether the nomination has sufficient merit to progress towards an evaluation. The evaluation involves identifying heritage value and significance, and gathering information.

Council then looks at whether to schedule the sites in the Auckland Unitary Plan.

“If it passed these steps, then we would initiate a plan change which would be publicly notified and interested parties could submit,” the spokesperson says. “Such a plan change only happens every 18 months – so there is a long way to go in the process.”

Allan says he has had great support from Council’s heritage staff.

“I hope that the application is treated with some urgency so that if a plan change is needed, it happens in time to prevent any development.”

Everlast could not be contacted from comment.