Iwi pave the way for Kākā Hill ownership

Ngāti Koata representatives have signed a historic memorandum of understanding that paves the way for the iwi to receive ownership of a parcel of land near central Nelson which includes Kākā Hill.

The agreement to transfer ownership of the maunga (hill) to the iwi is a landmark agreement with CCKV Developments, the group behind the Maitahi Village development.

Directors of Koata Ltd, members of Ngāti Koata Trust and the Kaumātua Council as well as members of the Harley family who owned the land since 1968, joined representatives of Bayview Nelson, and CCKV Developments to sign the memorandum at the proposed Maitahi Village site on Monday.

“There is no greater gift for Ngāti Koata than a gift of land,” says kuia Ngaiwai Webber, who signed the memorandum as chair of the Kaumātua council.

“We have had very little whenua to call our own. I cannot think of a better use of land than to put homes on it for people to live in.”

Chair of Koata Ltd Robert Pooley says the transfer of ownership is truly a wonderful thing, of which those gathered could feel proud.

“We start a process next week that may take us to another special place,” he said “It will be the beginning of a new and really exciting journey if the private plan change is successful.”

Commissioners appointed by Nelson City Council will, next week, consider submissions received from two rounds of public submissions completed in 2021-22 in relation to the Maitahi Bayview Private Plan Change (PPC 28).

Koata Ltd chief executive Hemi Toia says that CCKV Developments has been really encouraged by the process so far which saw expert submitters addressing a number of key concerns expressed by some members of the community, agreeing on the resolution of issues raised, and issuing joint statements.

“We think that this puts to rest some misinformation and will reassure many people,” he said. “The signing of today’s memorandum of understanding is another very important step towards unlocking our vision for the Kākā Valley.

“This MOU sets us on a path of empowerment for whānau, and we hope to see homes built that will provide home ownership opportunities for Ngāti Koata whānau and the wider community.”

Ken Hippolite of Ngāti Koata also spoke and imagined a future which includes Ngāti Koata home ownership on the site.

“To make land available to us is such a wonderful thing because we have felt that lack since we came off Rangitoto ki te Tonga,” he said.

“To think maybe one day my daughter can buy some Koata land in Whakatū!”

Hemi added that he can picture a whole range of families living in the proposed Maitahi Village and that CCKV Development’s vision of creating a legacy on the land, of which future generations can be proud, has been transformative for the project.

“It has deepened our discussions about how we can enhance the environment and help people to interact with each other so that they are loving living here. We want to ensure that Kākā Hill and Maitahi Village is an environmental masterpiece on the doorstep of Nelson and that it is a vibrant place where people can enjoy recreational activities in a respectful way.”

He says that Kākā Hill has a rich cultural history for local iwi Ngāti Koata and Ngāti Kuia, and ownership of the maunga, which is believed to include an urupā (burial site), is incredibly significant.

“Kākā Hill is an important tuku between Ngāti Koata and Ngāti Kuia. This transfer of ownership can really enhance the healing and the peace between the two iwi.”

Hemi says that now that the MOU has been signed, Ngāti Koata looks forward to sharing more of its vision for the Maitahi Village with the community.

“We have already indicated that we see the opportunity to acknowledge the cultural  significance of Kākā Hill to local iwi and the potential to make Kākā Hill an iconic tourist attraction for Whakatū. We are also very excited by the potential for us to provide iwi-led housing for Ngāti Koata whānau and the wider community within the proposed Maitahi Village.”

Before leading a waiata to accompany the signing of the memorandum, kuia Melanie McGregor (Chair of Ngāti Koata Trust) acknowledged the spirit of the occasion and Kākā Hill itself. “We can’t help but feel the wairua of this beautiful maunga.”

Hemi says that the spirit of the MOU signing is one which can be carried through to the next step in the process as a solid foundation for the work that is still to come.