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Wednesday, February 12, 2014
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Sevens rulers RULERS: Kathryn Miller, as Cleopatra, and Roman emperors Steve Miller and Tim Stewart. The trio was among many who caught the train from Paraparaumu Railway Station to attend the Wellington Sevens tournament. ■ More photos page 20. PHOTO: DAVID HAXTON / KAP070214DHROMAN
‘Shabby’ treatment A group of prominent authors has added its support to a campaign against the Government taking land from renowned writer Patricia Grace. Witi Ihimaera, Dame Fiona Kidman, Dame Anne Salmond, Sir James McNeish and Dr Paul Moon have signed an open letter to the Government condemning it for taking Grace’s Waikanae land under the Public Works Act in order to build the MacKays to Peka Peka Expressway. The letter, which was initiated by Mana magazine, says Grace’s land is a special case that deserves to be exempt from the plan. ‘‘Patricia’s land is Maori freehold land but more than that, it is land of historical significance. Patricia has inherited this land from her tipuna, her great, great grandfather Wi Parata Te Kakakura. ‘‘This Government has either done no research into the significance of Wi Parata and this land, or has simply ignored the facts.’’ The campaigners said in a statement the letter was being released to coincide with Waitangi Day ‘‘to remind the Government and New Zealanders this is no way to treat
a national cultural figure in the 21st century’’. ‘‘It also raises the wider issue of the Government failing to learn from history and repeating the same mistakes of the past, mistakes that are acknowledged in the many Treaty settlements and apologies from the Crown.’’ The statement said Grace had been treated in a ‘‘shabby way’’ by the Government as it ignored a history where her family gave large areas of surrounding land for the settlement of Waikanae. Transport Agency state highway manager Rod James said the agency considered and consulted on several different alignments when it selected route options for the expressway. ‘‘The alignment selected (which affects Ms Grace’s property) avoids the urupa and a considerable amount of wahi tapu land further north. ‘‘It is always difficult to make these choices because avoiding one sensitive property may have an impact on another. ‘‘There is seldom a perfect balance, but we are committed to working in an open and fair way with everyone who our
project affects. ‘‘While our efforts to meet Ms Grace earlier in the process were unsuccessful, we have since given close consideration to her concerns and continue to do so. ‘‘We are continuing to talk to Ms Grace and we hope to make constructive progress toward a positive resolution. ‘‘It would be inappropriate to further discuss details of negotiations with Ms Grace until the Maori Land Court process is complete.’’ Mr James said the agency had enjoyed amicable discussions with Ms Grace. It was unaware of any prior compliants from Ms Grace but was willing to investigate if she formally detailed her concerns. ‘‘Our understanding is that written records have been kept of meetings with Ms Grace.’’ Grace, 76, was made a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order for community service and has received a Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement and has been appointed a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
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