Rates shouldn't fund mountain board: cones group

An interest group believes that ratepayers shouldn't be lumped with the ongoing costs of a potential new management regime settling claims over Auckland mountains.

The Crown has offered ownership of volcanic cones in the region to 12 iwi as part of a Treaty settlement which, if iwi accept it, will result in the creation of a statutory board. Tribes are considering the offer which includes the statutory board membership being made up of equal numbers of iwi and the Auckland Council with the council retaining financial control.

Auckland Volcanic Cones Society spokesman Greg Smith said the cost of funding the board's work should be funded by central government, not ratepayers.

"Funding should not come from just the city itself. This is a Crown problem, it is being solved by the Crown and I would have expected central funding to come for this."

Mr Smith also had concerns about the calibre of membership drawn from the Super City - just being elected wouldn't mean that members would have a good enough understanding of the historical, landscape, archaeological, iwi and geological values associated with the landforms, he said. The Government should consider seeking membership at a national level instead.

Treaty Minister Chris Finlayson said it was not yet known how the board would be funded as there was still a significant amount of detail to be worked through.

While the agreement in principle was yet to be signed, he hoped that would be done by March and the settlement legislated for by the end of the parliamentary term.

MOUNTAINS RETURNING TO MAORI
Takarunga Mt Victoria, Maungawhau Mt Eden, Ohinerau Mt Hobson, Te Kopuke Mt St John, Ohuiarangi Pigeon Mt, Maungarei Mt Wellington, Maungakiekie One Tree Hill, Te Tatue o Ruikiuta Big King, Puketapapa Mt Roskill, Otahuhu Mt Richmond, Mangere Mountain.