Wellington hapū visit Kāpiti Airport wetlands for the first time in 80 years

Sunday, 2 May 2021

George Jenkins, from Kāpiti hapū Puketapu, on what the land at Kāpiti Coast Airport means to him and other descendants of the original owners, who are fighting to get it back. (First published September 2020)

Kāpiti Airport shut for most of Sunday for a historic event which saw mana whenua visit wetlands on the site for the first time in more than 80 years.

The land, at Paraparaumu, was taken by the Government from the Puketapu hapū of Te Āti Awa ki Kāpiti in 1939 under the Public Works Act.

The 125 hectare block on which the airport sits, was later sold to a private company and is currently at the centre of a Treaty claim.

George Jenkins, a spokesman for the hapū of Puketapu , said Templeton Group, which bought the airport in 2019, was the first to invite his people onto the wetlands since the land was seized.

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It was the last portion of the hapū’s rohe which had remained “untouched”.

Kāpiti hapū Puketapu spokesman George Jenkins at Kāpiti Airport.

“Those wetlands are of a huge not just ecological importance, but they also represent a tangible link to the past,” Jenkins said.

“It’s all about reconnecting with our whenua. This is a time of remembrance firstly … [then] looking forward to the future.”

About 50 people attended and Jenkins said the “opportunity wasn’t lost on anyone”.

“As a people we have to acknowledge an airport owner has thought to give us the opportunity we've had today - this is huge, and it's been a very special occasion. We were overwhelmed as our people have never set foot on this land which was taken in 1939. I had an opportunity to address my people within the fence and not outside the fence.”

Jenkins said the hapū lodged the treaty claim to protect the interests of their people – too many of whom were forced to turn to Winz or foodbanks for help.

“It is not the money nor mana that drives what is happening. The reason why is [to provide for] our children.”

The purchase of the land by Templeton Group, a property developer, has proved controversial, with some Kāpiti Coast locals worried the company was looking to close the airport.

In December, Templeton Group spokeswoman Dani Simpson said no such decision had been made.

On April 20, local mayors met with Government ministers to raise concerns that a closure could hamper the response to emergencies and asked them to intervene to secure the airport's uncertain future.

Jenkins said while the people of Puketapu had always supported the airport staying open, they and Templeton Group shared a common vision for developing the area.

“What we are searching for is a way for all of the people here to benefit. It is not the greater community that use the airport.”

The aerodrome was closed from 9am to 2pm on Sunday to all aircraft, expect helicopters used in emergencies and helicopters which had prior permission.