Waitaha speaks of ties to Holcim site

Waitaha has spoken publicly for the first time about its deep spiritual and cultural ties to the Waiareka Valley as it opposes in the Environment Court a cement plant, two quarries and a coal mine planned there.

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Waitaha is adamant Ngai Tahu and its Moeraki runanga cannot speak for it because it does not have the knowledge about those ties.

Yesterday, Waitaha Taiwhenua O Waitaki Trust Board chairwoman Anne Te Maiharoa-Dodds said those ties were not adequately addressed by the Otago Regional and Waitaki District Councils when it assessed the development proposed by Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd.

She did not blame the two councils for that, because information held by Waitaha was not available at the time the decision was made to grant resource consents to Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd for the plant, its quarries and coal mine.

Holcim consulted the statutory recognised groups, Ngai Tahu and the Moeraki runanga.

However, Ngai Tahu's knowledge of the use and occupation of the valley by Waitaha before Ngai Tahu migrated south was limited and, in many cases, absent, she said.

Waitaha opposes the cement plant and its associated developments in the Waiareka Valley. Ngai Tahu supports it, subject to conditions.

Mrs Te Maiharoa-Dodds explained the sensitivity of the Waiareka Valley to Waitaha. It held many trails to access the hinterland. The valley contained settlements, places and geological limestone formations sacred to Waitaha, including the escarpment next to the plant site.

"We need to tread lightly when we go into these places," she said.

While it was fair to extract limited amounts of Oamaru stone for buildings and sculpture where it was revered and treated with respect, it was quite another to remove such a large amount to grind up for cement.

"The bulk of the proposed white stone extraction [by Holcim] is similar to that of a small mountain. Once removed there is no possibility of returning to its natural state," he said.

Te Runanganui O Waitaha Me Mata Waka Iwi Authority kaumatua Barbara Olsen said the "bottom line" for Waitaha was moving the whole Holcim operation to "other parts".

She did not agree Waitaha and Ngai Tahu were one people, nor that under legislation Ngai Tahu spoke for Waitaha.

"I am not aware any legislation can remove any indigenous [people's] identity," she said.

Ngai Tahu's Moeraki runanga had been described by Holcim as the official iwi representative. The Moeraki runanga did not contact Waitaha to discuss any issues relevant to the project.

As a result, Waitaha's stories and knowledge of the area were not heard. It had special knowledge of its ancestral lands and connections, but did not want to share it because it effectively removed its exclusive connection with its heritage, Mrs Olsen said.

Main points

• A $400 million cement plant 2.5km from Weston, coal mine, limestone and sand quarries in the Waiareka Valley.

• An additional $100 million on storage, transport, shipping facilities and new ships.

• In February 2008, the Otago Regional Council and Waitaki District Council granted 46 resource consents for the plant.

• Consents appealed to the Environment Court by Holcim, the Waiareka Valley Preservation Society and Andrew Renalson, with interested parties Waitaha Taiwhenua O Waitaki Trust Board and Te Runanganui O Waitaha Me Mata Waka Inc and respondents the Otago Regional and Waitaki District Councils.

• Being heard by Judge Gordon Whiting, commissioner Charles Manning and deputy commissioner Dr Bruce Gollop.

• Hearing ran from March 9 to 11, then from March 30 until completed.