Land taken from Maori owners for a military airfield near Kaikohe in World War II was never used for its original purpose so must be returned, the Waitangi Tribunal has been told.
Claimants wound up week four of Ngapuhi's Te Paparahi o te Raki inquiry in Kerikeri yesterday with a day of evidence focusing on Kaikohe Aerodrome. About 5km south of town on Mangakahia Rd, the airstrip itself is owned by the Far North District Council and leased to a gliding club. Surrounding land is owned by the Crown and leased for farming.
Claimant lawyer Moana Tuwhare told the Tribunal the land had been taken from the Wihongi family under the Public Works Act in 1939-45. However, any land taken under the act had to be offered back to the original owners, at market value, if it was no longer needed for its original purpose.
Ms Tuwhare said the land was offered back to the family but for $640,000. The valuation at the time was $240,000.
The airstrip was later transferred to the council for just $60,000; a fraction of the sum demanded from the Wihongis. Rather than being put to public use, it was leased to a series of private groups.