Waikato-Tainui asks for Auckland Airport shares, cites Treaty claims
LAWRENCE SMITH/Stuff
Mayor Wayne Brown's opening remarks at Auckland Council's annual budget meeting.
Waikato-based iwi Waikato-Tainui has declared they are seeking a sizeable chunk of any Auckland Airport shares put up for sale, in order to finally settle their outstanding Tiriti o Waitangi claims in the Tāmaki Makaurau region.
This comes as Auckland councillors will be back at the Town Hall on Friday to continue discussions on council’s budget for the next financial year – with a vote on a partial sale of $2.2bn in airport shares top of the bill.
Executive Chairperson Tukoroirangi Morgan said Waikato-Tainui have outstanding Treaty of Waitangi claims in the Auckland region, particularly around Māngere, where the airport is located.
“Waikato-Tainui are the perfect investors because it means the land and assets associated with the Auckland Airport will remain in NZ ownership in perpetuity,” he said.
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Waikato-Tainui already have property investments around the Auckland airport, including the Novotel International and the new 5-star Te Arikinui Pullman hotel – due for completion later this year.
“We’ve always considered the airport as a key gateway. Not only for this country, but also historically a key gateway for our people who made landfall here almost 1000 years ago,” Morgan told Morning Report.
Stuff
Executive Chairperson Tukoroirangi Morgan said Waikato-Tainui have outstanding Treaty of Waitangi claims in the Auckland region, particularly around Mangere, where the airport is located.
The New Zealand Settlements Act, also known as Raupatu, was passed in 1863, which allowed the Crown to confiscate lands belonging to “Maaori rebels”.
Post the Waikato invasion, in 1865 the Crown confiscated over 1.2 million acres of land.
The proposal would see the Crown buy the shares from Auckland Council, then transfer them to the iwi.
“We’re one of the last iwi to not have settled our claims in the Tāmaki,” Morgan said.
“This purchase will also relieve the government of a long, drawn-out settlement negotiation process.
“At the end of the day we are ready for the conversation and will be seeking urgency to discuss the detail with government ministers over the next couple of weeks.”
Despite an entire day of proceedings on Thursday, the big ticket item of Auckland Airport shares was not resolved – the issue which stands to have the biggest effect on rates.
Despite an entire day of proceedings on Thursday, the big ticket item of Auckland Airport shares was not resolved – the issue which stands to have the biggest effect on rates.
Councillors enters day two of discussions on Friday, with any further questions on mayor Wayne Brown’s updated budget proposal from Thursday. They will also consider two amendments.
Manukau ward councillor Lotu Fuli tabled an amendment asking councillors to consider a full sell-down of the council’s airport shares as part of the long-term plan process which will start as soon as this year’s budget is agreed on.
Manukau ward councillor Lotu Fuli tabled an amendment asking councillors to consider a full sell-down of the council’s airport shares as part of the long-term plan process which will start as soon as this year’s budget is agreed on.
Treaty Negotiations Minister Andrew Little has been approached for comment.
