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Dame Whina Cooper's daughter says Significant Natural Areas means SNAtch Māori lands

Friday, 11 June 2021

Tāmati Tiananga of Te Ao Mārama speaks with Kuia Hine Puru, daughter of the famous mana wahine, and kuia from Te Tai Tokerau, Māori rights activist Dame Whina Cooper. (First published June 2021)

Dame Whina Cooper's daughter, Kuia Hine Puru, says SNA means SNAtch Māori lands, “Snatching, tērā whakamāoritanga, he tāhae me te teka, e haere tahi ana ērā kōrero.”

Puru says landowners in the Far North have described proposed restrictions under Significant Natural Areas (SNA) as ludicrous.

“Kotahi taku kōrero i te ata nei. Ko wāna tūpatotanga, ko wāna tohutohu, kaua e tukuna ēnei mahi taurekareka,” hei tāna. .

The proposed district plan will impose land use and subdivision rules that may require landowners to protect the SNA if they plan to develop the land or clear vegetation.
The proposed district plan will impose land use and subdivision rules that may require landowners to protect the SNA if they plan to develop the land or clear vegetation.

**READ MORE:

* Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) in the Far North: What you need to know

* Far North District Council likely to ‘pause’ new significant natural areas biodiversity classifications after huge public outcry

* Hīkoi across Northland retraces Dame Whina Cooper to oppose 'land grab'

**

Far North District Mayor John Carter said cabinet minister and Te Tai Tokerau MP Kelvin Davis and local Northland MP Willow Jean-Prime were aware of protesters' concerns.

'The protesters have been heard, the minister has heard them, Kelvin [Davis] and others like Willow-Jean Prime heard the protesters. We as local government politicians have heard them, were listening and were going to go back positively”, said Carter.

Nearly 50 years after Puru stood by her mother, Dame Whina Cooper when she led the march to Wellington in 1975. Puru said not much had changed.

“Hōhā te Māori ki te pātōtō kūaha, ngā kūaha o ngā Kaunihera, ngā kūaha o te Pāremata,” hei tā Puru.

A total of 685 significant natural areas have been identified in the Far North covering 282,696 hectares, about 42 per cent of the district, raising concerns for the district's many Māori landowners.

The hīkoi will end in Kaikohe tomorrow with protesters to hand over their submission to the council.

This story first appeared on Te Ao – Māori News website and has been republished on Stuff with permission.