Mahia residents fight Mexted homes

Former All Black Murray Mexted has struck stiff opposition to his plans to build holiday homes on a Mahia Peninsula beach in northern Hawke's Bay.

Mexted and his business partner, Paul Williams, have applied for resource consent to subdivide two lots of land at Mahanga into six sections, the Dominion Post reported.

The work would involve coastal protection works, earthworks within a coastal hazard area, new buildings and wastewater systems and diversion of a stream.

Of the 221 submissions on the application, 216 oppose it, citing concerns over the effect on the natural character of the area, diversion of a stream that drains a wetland and has cultural importance for Maori, maintenance of the seawall, a nearby Maori cemetery and possible impacts from the seawall on other parts of the coast.

Opponents have formed an incorporated society called Mahanga E Tu, or "stand up Mahanga" to fight the proposal.

Mexted, a television rugby commentator, declined to comment.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council has appointed independent commissioners Rauru Kirikiri and Hugh Hamilton for a joint hearing with Wairoa District Council, which will appoint its own representative. The hearing will be held next month.

- NZPA