law
9 Nov 2022

High Court orders Tūhoe stop scrapping huts in Te Urewera

From Checkpoint, 5:11 pm on 9 November 2022

Tūhoe has been ordered to immediately stop scrapping tramping huts in Te Urewera after one their own took legal action.

The land belongs to Tūhoe, and its operational entity, Te Uru Taumatua, has been pulling down and replacing dozens of huts it says are already falling down and not fit for use.

That has angered some hapū, trampers, hunters and conservationists. Wharenui Clyde Tuna, who is also of Tūhoe, asked the court to stop the destruction of the huts saying burning them down "caused great distress and loss of wairua".

The High Court's interim ruling ordered the work "immediately cease" and Te Uru Taumatua release a complete list of the destroyed huts by 5pm Wednesday.

Peter Askey is the President of the Nga Tapuwae O Taneatua Tramping Club, which made a submission to the High Court.