1 IN THE MATTER of the Resource Management Act 1991 Independent Hearing Commissioners Date of Hearing Commencement: 30 November 2020. AND IN THE MATTER Hawke’s Bay Regional Council • Wairoa District Council Wastewater APP – 123774 STATEMENT OF EVIDENCE OF ESTHER DAVINIA FOSTER TANGATA WHENUA AND DIRECTOR OF HOPE O TE WAIROA (RWT) LTD RANGI-HOUA MĀORI LANDOWNERS WAIROA Dated: 20 November 2020 1. Introduction 1.1 Huiarau, Panekiri, Matakuhia and Whakapuanaki – Sacred Mountains I call “Mountain Home” 1Waikaremoana, Waikareiti, Waikare taheke, Ruakituri and Hopupu Honengenenge Matangi Rau – (My rivers) Pure waters from Heavenly Father, entrenched to form passages of veins flowing earthward, nourishing, cleansing and frolicking with us, his children below. Te Moananui a Kiwa – (The Ocean). Te Moananui a Kiwa and Hopupu Honengenenge Matangi Rau regularly meet twice daily near “The Heads” at Rangi-houa, Te Wairoa. ‘The Heads’ Rangi-houa – The Whenua. Footprints of my whanau remain entrenched within and on the land today. Ko Te Kopua a HineWaimako – Whanau Urupa – Earthly resting place of whanau, most who didn’t make it back to their “Mountain Home” Ko The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Wairoa Ward - Te Whanau Ko The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Gisborne Stake - Te Hapu Ko The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - Te Iwi I te taha toku mama - ko Huriana Marsh Ka moe a Erana Whakauariki ki a Richard McRoberts ka puta ko Martha Ka moe a Maata McRoberts ki a Heremia Maehe Ka puta ko Taraipine Ka moe a Taraipine Marsh ki a Hakaraia Haretiera Witinitara Ka puta ko Huriana Ka moe a Huriana Marsh ki a Douglas Rangapupani Hakopa Ka puta ko au Ko Esther Foster toku ingoa Tena koutou Tena koutou Tena tatau katoa. 1 See Appendix 3 Exhibit A Figure 1 2 1.2 HOPE O TE WAIROA (RWT) LTD is the Parent Company for whanau Suburban Sections 830 & 831 Ahu Whenua Trust. Suburban Sections 830 & 831 Class 1 Township of Clyde are two remaining blocks of whanau lands which has not been acquired by enforcement of The Public Works Act 1908 or otherwise. 2Located at the corners of Fitzroy Street and Kopu Road Wairoa, the area of land is fondly referred to as ‘The Heads’. 1.3 Ms Ina Kara France was contracted as Project Manager 3in June 2019 by myself, Executive Director of HOPE O TE WAIROA (RWT) LTD, the Parent Company for the RANGI-HOUA MĀORI LAND OWNERS OF Suburban Sections 830 and 831 Kopu Road, Wairoa. I worked with Ina who developed a Proposal and Feasibility Study that would research the potential possibilities of developing Suburban Sections 830 & 831 properties into an educational / commercial venture. The venture would enable employment for HOPE O TE WAIROA (RWT) LTD shareholders to support to engage employment for the wider Wairoa Community within the Cultural Tourism and Outdoor Pursuits Industries. This venture intention included Accommodation, Café, Art Gallery and Retail within a Marae setting. This intention was supported in writing by the Mayor of Wairoa and the Wairoa District Council. Due to the Pre-Hearing and pending Hearing discussions, regards Treated and Untreated Wastewater Discharge into The Wairoa River, the research into proposed venture is on hold. Such wastewater discharge into the Wairoa River adversely impacts on the venture, a barrier to entry and to participate fully’ in the Cultural Tourism and Outdoor Pursuits Industries. HOPE O TE WAIROA (RWT) LTD supports to promote Tourism New Zealand logo “100% PURE NEW ZEALAND. 2 See Appendix 1 Exhibit A Figure 1 3 Statement of evidence Ina Kumeroa Kara-France 1.5 3 CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 1 2. SCOPE OF EVIDENCE …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4 3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4 4. STATEMENT OF EVIDENCE – INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………………………………………………....5 5. MAURI ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….6 6. MAORI CULTURAL VALUES ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………7 6.1 CULTURAL ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………8 6.2 LANDSCAPE/THE GARDENS ……………………………………………………………………………………………….………..8 6.3 LANDSCAPE …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………9 7. CONCLUSION …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…9 APPENDICES ……………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………..12 4 2. Scope of Evidence 2.1. My evidence includes the following matters a) Mauri b) Maori Cultural Values c) Culture d) The Garden e) Landscape 3. Executive Summary 3.1 The Statement of Evidence seeks a decision from the Independent Hearing Commissioners to decline the Wairoa District Council Resource Consent application based on the enclosed evidence. 3.2 There are five fundamental recommendations as follows: a) No Discharge of Treated and Untreated Wastewater into Te Wairoa Hopupu Honengenenge Matangi Rau (The Wairoa River);4 b) Financial Compensation to HOPE O TE WAIROA (RWT) LTD for discomfort and distress caused for over 20 years; c) Ensure The Wairoa River is of drinkable quality; d) Ensure The Wairoa River has safe and healthy swimming areas; e) The Mauri be restored. 3.3 Te Wairoa Hopupu Honengenenge Matangi Rau (The Wairoa River) will always be of significant Cultural Value to not only past, current and future owners of Suburban Sections 830 & 831 and surrounding lands, but also to the wider Community o Te Wairoa)5 4 Statement of Evidence Ina Kumeroa Kara-France 3.2A 5 Refer Appendix 3 photographic evidence 5 4 Statement of Evidence Introduction 4.1 The evidence provided will focus specifically on the Maori Cultural Value of Te Wairoa Hopupu Honengenenge Matangi Rau (The Wairoa River) to the past and current owners of Suburban Sections 830 & 831. 6 7 8 4.2 I have been a resident of Te Wairoa since 22 April 1957. I I am a registered ratepayer per following properties: - 20 0 i) 200 Marine Parade Wairoa9 ii) 6 Mansfield Street Wairoa10 iii) 405 Ormond Drive Opoutama Mahia11 iv) Suburban Sections 830 & 831 Class 1 Township of Clyde12 v) Hereheretau B2K2B & B2J8 Blocks (Whakaki)13 vi) Te Kopani 4B2B1 (Tuai, Waikaremoana)14 4.3 Qualifications • Certificate in Maori Foundation Studies15, • Certificate in Indigenous Research16 • Diploma in Maori Governance and Leadership. 17 • Elected Erepeti Marae (Tuahu 3X Maori Reservation) Trustee Chairperson in 2010 / 2011.18 • Elected Committee Management member on Mahurangi Station Inc.2012 19 • Elected Trustee Hereheretau B2K2B & B2J8 Ahu Whenua Trust 2007 and am current Trustee Chairperson.20 • Elected Trustee Hinetera O Putahi Etu ano Ahu Whenua Trust 201621 • Elected Trustee Suburban Sections 830 & 831 Ahu Whenua Trust 22 6 Appendix 2 4.1 Exhibit C Figure 3 7 4.1 Exhibit D Figure 4 8 4.1 Exhibit E Figure 5 9 Appendix 3 Refer App 4.4 Exhibit F Figure 6 10 Refer App 4.5 Exhibit G Figure 7 11 Refer App 4.6 Exhibit H Figure 8 12 Refer App 4.7 Exhibit I Figure 9 13 Refer App 4.8 Exhibit J Figure 10 14 Refer App 4.8 Exhibit K Figure 11 15 Appendix 4 4.3 Exhibit A 16 Appendix 4 4.3 Exhibit B 17 Appendix 4 4.3 Exhibit C 18 Appendix 4 4.3 Exhibit D 19 Appendix 4 4.3 Exhibit E 20 Appendix 4 4.3 Exhibit F, G 21 Appendix 4 4.3 Exhibit H 22 Appendix 4 4.3 Exhibit I 6 • Elected Advisory Trustee Paeroa 2F1 & 2F2 Ahu WhenuaTrust 23 • Elected Mandated Hapu Representative Te Kapuamatotoru ki Huramua24 • Administrator Te Whakamana Kotahi o Ngaati Ruapani Iwi Tribal Authority Inc.25 • Co-claimant Wai 1572 Ancestor Claim, the latter Wai 1572 removed from Te Tira Whakaemi O Te Wairoa Treaty Settlement Claims 26 • Past Mandated Cluster 2 Representative on Te Tira Whakaemi o Te Wairoa (Te Wairoa Tapokorau Whanui Trust post Treaty Settlement entity)27 • Represented Marae Erepeti, Te Reinga, Putahi, Pakowhai, Aranui, Aramawha and Te Mira on Ngati Kahungunu Iwi (Wairoa Taiwhenua) Inc. 28 • Represented Marae Huramua, Hinemihi, Ruataniwha, Tawhiti A Maru and Takitimu on Wairoa District Council Maori Standing Committee. 29 • Member of Wairoa & District Angling Club Inc. and past Secretary / Treasurer30 • Estway Sports is the Booking Agent for Mokau Cabin & Boat / Waikareiti Boat Bkgs Angling Club • My husband and I are owner / operators at 200 Marine Parade, the local Sports Retail Store providing goods and service to the Wairoa Community since 1990. The Community of Wairoa have and continue to support our business. • A number of above entities are subsidiary entites of HOPE O TE WAIROA (RWT) LTD. 5 Mauri 5.1 Te Wairoa Hopupu Honengenenge Matangi Rau (The Wairoa River) is a taonga. Kaitiakitanga are the people “If the wellbeing of a taonga is well The wellbeing of the people will be well” 5.2 My mother Juliana Marsh was raised at ‘The Heads’ by her grandparents Martha and Heremia Maehe aka Jerry Marsh. 5.3 Mum recalled at around the age of 5yrs, her grandpa Heremia travelled to Te Wairarapa and retrieved her from the household of her paternal father Hakaraia Haretiera Witinitara and his sister in law Amiria McRoberts.31 5.4 Word may have got back to Heremia that his moko was enjoying the taste and aroma of coffee, remnants after her Grand aunt Amiria had entertained her many distinguished whanau from home (Te Wairoa and Te Kaha) on their way to and from Parliament.32 5.5 We can only conjecture, Heremia adhering to his gospel beliefs may have disagreed with the environment his firstborn moko was being exposed to. 23 Appendix 4 4.3 Exhibit J 24 Appendix 4 4.3 Exhibit K 25 Appendix 4 4.3 Exhibit L 26 Appendix 4 4.3 Exhibit M 27 Appendix 4 4.3 Exhibit N 28 Appendix 4 4.3 Exhibit O 29 Appendix 4 4.3 Exhibit P 30 Appendix 4 4.3 Exhibit Q 31 Appendix 4 4.3 Exhibit R 32 Appendix 4 4.3 Exhibit S 7 5.6 Church records show us that Heremia was baptised and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints by David Lindsay and H B Jensen respectively on 16 May 1897.33 Martha was baptised and confirmed likewise 12 years later.