First Category 3 property settled

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The buyout of Category 3 residential properties across Tairāwhiti has started with the district council taking ownership of the first Category 3 property yesterday.

Mayor Rehette Stoltz said the settlement of the first Category 3 property marked a significant milestone in recovery work.

“We are aware this also means the former owners of this property can now move forward with their lives.

“However, we’re also sensitive that today could be a hard day for them, too.

“The past year has been exceptionally challenging for our Category 3 property owners and I am pleased that we are now in a position where they can begin to look to the future.”

In January, the council appointed independent consultancy firms Align and Simpson Grierson to negotiate with Category 3 property owners.

Mayor Stoltz said negotiations had been progressing well.

“In addition to yesterday’s settlement, council is due to settle with several more property owners in the coming month.”

Category 3 properties are those categorised as the highest risk under the Government’s Future of Severely Affected Land (FOSAL) framework.

Sixty-three Category 3 properties have been identified in Tairāwhiti.

The council continues to work with the Crown on the parallel whenua Māori and marae pathway.