No return of Te Atatu land

Claims for the return of 60ha of Te Atatu Peninsula worth $50 million are being resisted by Waitakere City Council, which is warning that it does not intend to return the waterfront block.

Councillor Janet Clews, chairwoman of the finance and operational performance committee, said "the land was vested in the council at the time of amalgamation and we were unaware of any associated issues. That was the case until 1995, when we heard from a claimant's legal adviser."

Claimants filed an application in the High Court at Auckland on Wednesday for a declaration that the land would be offered back to them.