Five Gisborne marae to move to safer ground with Govt support
Five Gisborne marae impacted by severe weather in early 2023 will move to safer locations with the support of the Crown, the Government has announced today.
The trustees of Puketawai, Hinemaurea ki Mangatuna, Okuri, Takipū and Rangatira Marae had made the "difficult decision" to relocate and re-establish their respective marae in new locations.
More than $136 million, which was allocated from Budgets 2023 and 2024 would fund the programme, including the costs to relocate owners of 24 whenua Māori properties, demolition of residential structures, and some assistance to support affected sites of cultural significance — principally urūpa.
Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell said the local council designated these marae as high risk and "not safe to occupy" because of "unacceptable risk to life from future extreme weather".
"Each of the marae have accepted the Crown's support package and have acquired new sites to relocate to. The new sites are in close proximity within, or close to, their respective tribal boundaries."
Mitchell said the impact of the severe weather on the marae was "devastating" for the many whānau, hapū, and the wider community connected to these marae.
"The decision to relocate is not an easy one and has come from the desire of the Marae Trustees to keep their marae, and their respective whānau, safe and secure, protecting the lives of those who might otherwise be at real risk from any future severe weather events."
Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka said relocating the individual marae would take time.
"We expect the relocation works, including the rebuild of wharenui and whare kai where required due to the damage, will take place over the next two or so years. For some of the marae, the project is a complete rebuild."
Of the five marae, three were located in the Uawa/Tolaga Bay area, with the other two in Te Karaka.
"The Crown is also working with two Kahungunu Marae, Tangoio and Petāne in Hawke's Bay with support packages available to both marae so they too can reestablish in safer locations," Potaka said, adding that reaching this point was a "significant milestone".
"Most importantly, it will provide affected whanau and hapu peace of mind, and will have the added benefit of creating opportunities for SMEs and jobs."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
11-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Flooding processes defended
Selwyn District Council and Environment Canterbury have defended how they responded to the major flooding in the district early last month. Mayor Sam Broughton and Environment Canterbury chair Craig Pauling have told Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell the flooding infrastructure held up, and the processes to manage flooding were up to standard. They were responding to a letter from Mitchell sent to councils across New Zealand asking them to have a 'frank and honest' discussion about responding to flooding. In his letter he highlighted the flooding in Canterbury, where parts of Selwyn and Banks Peninsula were hit hard. "No stopbanks were breached or overtopped, and although drainage schemes were overwhelmed in places, they behaved as expected with water entering known ponding areas,' Broughton and Pauling said in a letter sent to Mitchell. The district saw two months of rainfall fall in about 48 hours, causing a large amount of flooding, particularly around Ellesmere and Tai Tapu. A particular concern among the community was whether Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere could have been opened ahead of the flooding to reduce the impact. Broughton and Pauling told Mitchell even if the lake could have been opened, it would likely have made little difference. 'Unfortunately, sea conditions prior to the event were not favourable, and any opening attempt would have been unsafe and unsuccessful. Had an opening attempt been made a week earlier, it would have closed quickly and likely would have had little effect on water levels during the event.' It was noted in the letter that ECan wants the Government to continue to assist with funding for telemetry to monitor river levels and flows. "To further support upgrades and strengthen resilience, co-funding with central Government has been sought within the Regional Infrastructure Fund to further accelerate our work.' As part of its continued review of the May floods, the district council is paying particular attention to Doyleston, which was one of the worst-hit areas in the district. On Sunday, council staff met with Doyleston residents to get local knowledge of locations that may have contributed to the flooding. Staff said it would use that information to establish the next steps for the settlement.
Otago Daily Times
06-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
60 new bus shelters being built in Chch
Photo: Christchurch City Council Waiting for the bus in east Christchruch is set to become a bit easier this winter. Christchurch City Council is installing 60 new bus shelters in the city with money from the Government's Climate Emergency Response Fund. Council transport operations manager Stephen Wright said: "We've targeted the most well-used stops, many around school routes in Christchurch east. "With more than 2000 passengers expected to benefit every single day, the new shelters are going to make it more comfortable for people waiting for the bus, particularly in the biting winter months." Photo: Christchurch City Council Fifty-five of the bus stops did not previously have shelters, while five are replacing older infrastructure. Wright said about 15 new shelters have already been installed. The work is expected to be finished by the end of September. "We're also improving accessibility and bus waiting areas by putting in hardstand areas, tactile pavers, seating, new bus stops, and relocating the bus stop," he said.
RNZ News
04-06-2025
- RNZ News
Midday Report Essentials for Wednesday 4 June 2025
economy infrastructure about 1 hour ago In today's episode, a new poll shows more New Zealanders oppose rather than favour the government's pay equity shakeup, demolition crews are racing against the tide to remove the burnt-out wreck of an historic ship on the Paihia waterfront in Northland, the government is investing over $15 million to upgrade infrastructure and enhance conservation in Milford Sound, and a strong wintry weather blast is starting to be felt in parts of the country with flights in and out of Christchurch and Nelson being cancelled.
