Development of wahi tapu land on Whakatane s coast could be stalled by iwi occupation after commissioners consented to a 240-section housing subdivision and retirement village next to an ancient urupa.
Iwi have been fighting to stop a resource consent to turn this land in Whakatane, which is wahi tapu, into a suburb featuring a retirement village.
Photo: CHARLOTTE JONES / LDR
Kaitiaki of the Opihi Whanaungakore urupa, Rapata Kopae, said urupa trustees were considering how to stop the development including court action, a public information campaign or occupation of the land.
Kopae said rangatahi of multiple tribes were seriously considering occupation but were waiting to see how things played out first.
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