Iwi accused of cultural blackmail

The statue of Wairaka at the river mouth. Picture / Alan Gibson

A Bay of Plenty iwi says 25 tribe members will need speaking time at a planning hearing after a property developer rejected its offer of a "cultural assessment" report.

In what National Party environmental spokesman Nick Smith labelled "cultural blackmail" and a "gross abuse" of the Resource Management Act, Bay of Plenty iwi Ngati Awa said it needed "at least" that number to explain its objections to a proposed eight-storey apartment block with a restaurant at the mouth of the Whakatane River.

That was because developer Robert Power had previously rejected an offer of a "cultural impact assessment" report from the tribe at a cost of "under $8000", said spokeswoman Beverley Hughes.

"It's a service to provide a cultural impact report, it's a product," she said.

Some speakers who would attend any future council hearing on Mr Power's plans would speak in Maori and she had asked the Whakatane District Council for an interpreter.

Mr Power said the RMA process was "extremely frustrating" and Ngati Awa's actions were unreasonable.

"We have endeavoured to consult but it just goes on forever," he said.

He turned down Ngati Awa's offer of a cultural assessment report because of "a combination of money and time".

Dr Smith said reform of the RMA was long overdue. "This is politically correct nonsense, for 25 speakers to delay a hearing is a gross abuse of the process."

Although the apartment block would clearly have an impact on one of the town's most recognisable scenic spots, he questioned Ngati Awa's request for payment.

"No one else is asking for payment for their opinion," he said.

Linda Conning, of the conservation group Forest and Bird, said Whakatane residents were dismayed by the plan to put a 17m-high building on a valued scenic spot.

"If this was Oriental Parade in Wellington or Mission Bay in Auckland we would not be taking any interest at all," she said.

"But this building will stand out hugely. Its height, bulk and width are not in keeping with the area."

John Olliver, consultant planner to the council on the project, said there was no limit on speakers at resource consent hearings and it would be up to the chairperson to decide if 25 was excessive.

"The chair has to make sure the evidence is focused and not overly repetitive," he said.

The apartment block will need special planning permission and a public hearing is at least six weeks away.

Eighty submissions had been received by the council by deadline last Friday, most opposed.