Wanganui River Park decision delayed

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 23, 6 November 1984, Page 12

Wanganui River Park decision delayed

Formation of the proposed Wanganui River National Park has been postponed to allow the new Minister of Lands, Mr Koro Wetere, time to consult with the local Maori people about the spiritual significance and mana of the river bed. A petition had been presented to Parliament in 1979 asking that the title to the river bed be vested in nine Maori tribes. Mr Wetere believed due deference should be paid to the petitioners' feelings and that it would be sensible to

resolve the issue before the Park was created because, even though the river will not become part of the Park itself, it will be the centre of the Park's activities. The proposed meeting between the Minister and the petitioners has had to be postponed because of Mr Wetere 's parliamentary commitments and the Maori Summit Conference. A decision will not be made before the end of this year. Environmentalist Dr Darrell Grace, who is one of

Wanganui's representatives on the Wellington Parks and Reserves Board, described the delay as "very disappointing." "The delay makes me uneasy — the river itself doesn't form part of the Park and the way had been cleared for the Park to go ahead. Only the Minister's approval was required and while the Board was concerned that there was no protection for the river it intended to rectify this once the Park was created."