Orakei demolition move catches iwi by surprise

Some Ngati Whatua iwi and their board are at a stand-off after attempts to demolish former state houses at the centre of an occupation were thwarted.

Up to 40 Ngati Whatua o Orakei members have occupied 16 former state houses along Orakei's Kupe St for the past three years.

The group, Ora Whanau, want the homes set aside as low-cost housing for iwi wanting to live near Orakei marae.

The tribe's trust board seeks to capitalise on the area's spectacular views and build upmarket houses to attract high-rental tenants.

Ora Whanau member Apihai Pihema learned on Monday that contractors had turned up with a security guard to pull down some vacant houses.

"They had started pulling out the power-boxes and windows and were cutting off the water."

Mr Pihema said the action was against an informal understanding that no moves would be made to move the occupiers until the tribe's treaty settlement had been resolved.

"They had this big PI security guard who told me I was trespassing. I said you're trespassing, so get out of the way."

Tradesmen were told to take their tools and leave which they did. Mr Pihema said a stand-off developed with an investigator employed by the trust telling him trespass notices were to be served.

"They stopped their demolition. The guy said he would come back with the trespass notices by Tuesday - he hasn't come yet," Mr Pihema said yesterday. The demolition move caught people by surprise.

Ngati Whatua o Orakei corporate chief executive Tiwana Tibble could not be reached for comment.

Trust chairman Sir Hugh Kawharu said the board was yet to meet this year so he was unaware of moves to pull down some of the buildings.