Iwi launch anti-tip petition

With submissions on the proposed Dome Valley tip for Auckland’s rubbish now closed, Ngati Whatua is seeking national support from “all iwi and tribal partners” for a petition to halt Auckland Council negotiations with Waste Management Ltd.

The company is seeking approval from Auckland Council to create the mega-landfill within 1,000 hectares of land it has acquired in Dome Valley. Ngati Whatua CEO Alan Riwaki has thrown his iwi’s weight behind the Fight the Tip protest group, which has opposed the plan since its first notification.

“We ask the council to halt all discussions with Waste Management NZ and as a Treaty partner provide our iwi the opportunity to co-create a partnership that will assist our communities to manage waste in a way that puts our community at the centre of decision-making,” he said.

“We did not expect that Ngati Whatua would be the subject of further injustices when we signed our Treaty settlement with the Crown, less than 10 years ago. We filed our submission against the proposed Dome Valley Landfill. Many of our whanau and hapu have also filed submissions objecting to the plan.

“Auckland Council’s failure to consult exacerbates the grievances already held about our whenua, awa and culture. We are staunch in our opposition to this landfill, which not only pollutes our waterways but encroaches on our responsibilities as mana whenua.”

“We are flummoxed that Auckland Council can consider approving the landfill, which will operate until 2060 at the same time as saying it has an aspirational goal of zero waste to landfill by 2040. However, they appear determined to proceed with approving the landfill.”

“Ngati Whatua are asking for national support for this issue and are seeking support from all uri, whanau, hapu, marae and tribal partners to sign our petition at our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/protect-our-kaipara-moana, as well as using their influence to stop the development of the Dome Valley landfill.”

STOP THE PRESS Latest Press Release

Iwi and Community pressure achieves deadline extension for Dome Valley Landfill Submissions 

“Auckland Council has agreed to extend the deadline for submissions for plan changes and resource consent to 3 weeks prior to the hearings,” said Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua Chief Executive, Alan Riwaka. Hearings will occur towards the end of the year. 

“An actual date has not been notified by Auckland Council but we now have time to involve our cultural, environmental and alternative waste management experts in strengthening our submissions.” 

“One thousand submissions about the proposed Dome Valley Landfill have already been made to Auckland Council. There are many other whānau, hapū and iwi from around New Zealand who will now have the opportunity to make their own submissions.” 

“Ngāti Whātua know that the proposed Dome Valley Landfill would be disastrous for our waterways and our people.” Our Chair, Dame Naida Glavish affirms this in her statement, “Inā kite koe i tētahi mea hē, hakatikangia. Inā kore ka rite koe ki taua hē. If you see something wrong in front of you, then correct it because if you don’t, you will become like it.” 

For further information contact Alan Riwaka phone 0212275289

Living big on the small screen

A documentary film crew visited Dargaville last week to speak to a local resident with an impressive list of accomplishments. National cricket representative, painter, musician, powerlifter and multi-sport competitor; it’s the definition of a life lived to the full. The fact that Ming Ming Edgar is legally blind has not slowed him down for a second.

Attitude TV travelled to Dargaville to share his story as part of their long-running inspirational series of New Zealand short factual films. Attitude is a long-running Kiwi television series documenting the successes of people living with being differently-abled. It’s followed our sporting champions to the Special Olympics, interviewed the Wheel Blacks, and also won awards for promoting inclusion and empowerment. Running since 2005 the series has provided an insight into the courage and determination of many Kiwis who have overcome great obstacles to achieve life satisfaction and success.

Mr Edgar and his mum, Gaynor, welcomed a three-person film crew into their Dargaville home to help chronicle his achievements, which stack up as an impressive CV. Many locals will know of his skill on the piano keys, as he’s been a regular sight busking on the main street, outside Countdown or performing in variety concerts during the years. Gaynor adopted Ming Ming from his original homeland of China at the age of seven. He has lived in Dargaville ever since, taking full opportunity of the outdoors and cultural life of the town.

A talented artist, his works have graced exhibitions at Dargaville’s Muddy Waters Gallery. On the opening of his first solo exhibition in 2019, aptly titled My View of the World, he was typically humble and humorous. 

“I would just say well … have a look and see what you can do, just have a go, some things you might not have tried before, and you never know you might be good at it, you might be Picasso.”

Additionally, Ming Ming participates in a list of sporting codes, which includes rugby, hockey, discus, shot put, running, swimming and long jump, not to mention primary passions for cricket and powerlifting. 

When asked if it was hard to balance all of these interests, Mr Edgar was adamant that there’s always time to learn and experience more. As for being on television; the hardest part was not being shy of the camera, but working with the crew on a frosty winter morning.The completed documentary will screen in August after editing. It will also be featured online at attitudelive.com alongside an archive of other inspirational stories from around the nation.

Consultation on wharf rebuild

The rebuilding of Mangawhai’s historic wharf is one step closer after the Northland Regional Council notified the resource consent application is open for public consultation.

“Getting this far has been a long and expensive process,” said Mangawhai Historic Wharf Trust chair, Colin Leach.

“The key reason the trust was set up to build the wharf was the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the community. At this stage in the process, anyone can make a submission, whether it is for or against the wharf. Demonstrating community support is essential to success.”

The resource consent application was lodged by the trust last April. It proposes to reinstate the former Mangawhai wharf that was built in the early 1880s and later demolished during the 1950s.

The NRC says the project “will consist of a piled timber wharf structure extending 101 metres into the coastal marine area. An elevated three-metre wide walkway, 90m in length, leads to the head of the wharf.”

“Mangawhai is a rapidly growing community, with limited amenities and access to the harbour. The wharf will integrate well into our walking and cycleways, provide a link to the water and can be a valuable educational tool for promoting the wellbeing and understanding of the harbour and all of its inhabitants,” Mr Leach said.

“In completing your submission, you should think about what the rebuild of the wharf would mean for you, your family, the organisations you are part of, and for our community as a whole.” 

Submissions close on Tuesday, June 23. For more information go to nrc.govt.nz/consents/notified-resource-consents/mangawhai-historic-wharf-trust/.