Car millionaire's mansion plan stirs up locals

A Maori multi-millionaire wants to build a mansion on an "iconic" piece of land near Raglan, but his plans are angering neighbours, including an Auckland lawyer who says Maori should be treated the same as any other property-owner applying for consent.

After buying about 1.1ha of coastal property last year, Japan-based Hohua (Jojo) Hemi wants to build an enormous home at The Indicators, documents from the Waikato District Council show.

The Indicators is a piece of land that has steep cliffs, native bush and three famous surf breaks.

According to the council, "the site enjoys magnificent views in all directions", including Whale Bay, Mt Karioi, the Tasman Sea and the western coastline north of Whaingaroa Harbour.

Mr Hemi - who appears on the NBR Rich List with his brother Api and an estimated fortune of $30 million ( a figure the Hemis dispute) - last week attended a council hearing at Raglan, where his hired planning consultants argued that the effects of the new home would be minor.

Mr Hemi had scaled back his original proposal for the mansion, which had a floor area of 555sq m and roof height of 7.9m. Revised drawings now show a floor area of 330sq m and a roof height of 4.45m.

Significant landscaping would minimise visual effects, Mr Hemi has argued, although 600sq m of native bush need to be cleared.

A swimming pool and spa are also planned.

Council planner Steve van Kampen's report said the development was contrary to the district plan, as well as the Resource Management Act and New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement.

But the council's hearing committee has the power to ignore Mr van Kampen's recommendation that the development be turned down.

Nineteen public submissions have opposed Mr Hemi's plans, with just one in support.

Mr Hemi's neighbours, including lawyer Stuart Cummings and Waikato University professors James and Jane Ritchie, vehemently oppose the proposal.

Mr Cummings said the decision would be interesting, as the tangata whenua were saying "this is our land, we'll do what we want with it".

If construction was allowed, a message would be sent to all Maori that they had greater freedom than other property-owners, Mr Cummings said.

"That's the million-dollar question."

Immediate neighbour Professor James Ritchie did not share Mr Cummings' views, although he also opposed the development.

Mr Ritchie told the Herald he had been accused of acting through self-interest, but he had paid much "care and attention to the [nearby] reserve over the past 30 years", and was therefore acting in the public interest.

He wanted the land preserved, and said much of last week's hearing hinged on the question of whether the new home would enhance the natural character of the area.

Mr Hemi said he doubted there was strong opposition to his plans.

"Mr Ritchie is trying to block this application with every ounce of his influence. He's just trying to muscle me out and it's not going to happen.

"That land has got a lot spiritual significance to me."

While some Raglan Maori are against the construction, academic and Tainui hapu member Angeline Greensill supports the development.

But cultural adviser Wiremu Puke said the original Maori owners, Ngati Mahuta, had not been consulted.

"I'm opposed to the fact Angeline Greensill has assumed a right to have a say on land she doesn't have personal links to," Mr Puke said.

The hearing committee's decision is expected within three weeks.

Hohua (Jojo) Hemi

* Aged 39, married, two sons.
* Set up a second-hand car exporting business in Japan, where he has spent the last 20 years.
* His company, Kyoto-based International Boeki Corporation, has up to 300 staff in 14 countries.
* From a Waikato Mormon family who include five brothers and two sisters. Sister Vicky Lee Whihongi was crowned Miss New Zealand in 1980, and elder brother Tiwini is a Hamilton doctor.