22 Mar 2021

No way Taihape farm can be given back to community - Little

From Morning Report, 6:49 am on 22 March 2021

The Treaty Negotiations Minister says there's no way a Taihape farm set aside for a settlement can be returned right now to the community. 

Taihape locals pitched in 30 years ago to set up the 13 hectare farm next to the old Taihape College, and want it back.

However, seven years ago the Ministry of Education added it to the Treaty Settlement land bank, so it can now only be released if there is no iwi interest. 

Treaty Negoatiations Minister Andrew Little told reporter Meriana Johnsen he can't release this property. 

Local iwi Ngāti Hauiti said in a statement the school has access to farmland for education purposes while the Treaty of Waitangi Settlement process continues.