Kia ora e te whānau,

Following on from recent hui with whānau leaseholders at Greenpark Huts, Te Taumutu Rūnanga supported by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu have made the decision that there will be a one-year extension to leases, giving an additional period to 30 June 2025 to allow for site clearance.

Representatives from Te Taumutu Rūnanga and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu have been meeting with leaseholders individually and will continue to do so. These conversations have been very useful in understanding leaseholders’ concerns regarding the transition process.

We acknowledge that more time is needed to ensure leaseholders are well-informed about their demolition options. In addition, some leaseholders will wish to take advantage of government agency support for their relocation, and the extension in time will assist with this.

When this whenua was returned to Ngāi Tahu under the Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act of 1998, it was transferred with the existing leases from the Crown. Under the lease conditions, each site was to only be occupied for up to 183 days each year for recreational purposes.

It is important that we make Te Waihora healthy for our mokopuna. Our decisions are guided by this fundamental desire to look after our lake and be responsible tīpuna.

Nāku noa, nā Dr Liz Brown,

Chairperson, Te Taumutu Rūnanga