Turia wants rock accountability

Destruction of a rock to make way for hydro project "cold-hearted" and Tariana Turia wants to know where accountability lies

11 March 2010
Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia is seeking ministerial advice on where accountability lies in relation to the destruction of what she says is an important archaeological site.

Ms Turia is taking action after contractors for Tauranga-based Clearwater Hydro blew up a two storey high rock feature in the Waitomo area, which some Marokopa Maori claim is sacred. The rock was preventing work being carried out on a new hydro power station near Waitomo.

A small group of protesters was removed by police.

Mrs Turia says the destruction of the kohatu was a cold-hearted decision and believes that if the company thinks it has rid itself of any issues by lighting a fuse, it should think again. She says that the destruction of the rock probably just made the situation worse.

Clearwater Hydro had resource consent to remove the rock after Environment Waikato met with local kaumatua and iwi and decided the rock was not significant.

Mrs Turia has approached the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, the Minister of Maori Affairs and the Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage to investigate issues concerning her about the destruction, particularly around where accountability sits in the destruction of what she says is an important archaeological site.

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