After receiving pushback from residents over the decision to end their leases, Ngāi Tahu has offered to cover the demolition costs to remove all structures from Greenpark Huts in Selwyn.
The residents fighting the eviction felt they had a stronger connection to the site than Ngāi Tahu and, beyond costs of demolition, could not afford to live elsewhere.
In August 2020, Ngāi Tahu advised residents of Greenpark Huts, on the shore of Lake Ellesmere near Christchurch, it would not renew their leases due to the cultural significance of the site, as well as issues around wastewater removal, drinking water supply and the sea level rising.
Residents were at first told they had to leave and demolish their houses by June 30 this year. Ngāi Tahu has since pushed the date out to June 30 next year.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu group head strategy and environment Jacqui Caine said during conversations with leaseholders it became apparent the need to remove all structures from the site would cause "significant financial stress for some".
"Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu has therefore decided, in good faith, to offer to pay the full demolition costs for all leaseholders for all structures at the Greenpark Huts settlement."
The "significant financial decision" included covering the cost of asbestos testing, disposal and removal, which would be required due to the age of many of the structures.
It also planned to work with relevant government agencies to ensure support was available for those requiring assistance with relocation.
Resident Kane Scarrott said the offer made no difference to his stance as money was not his greatest concern.
"It’s about being in New Zealand and having a bach on the waterfront that’s been passed down generations."
The lease conditions allowed Greenpark Huts residents to occupy the site for up to 183 days a year, for recreational purposes, but some residents occupied the site permanently, he said.
"You’re not shifting me. I own this dwelling and I’m not moving from it."
Some residents would take the offer, but of the 32 bach owners, eight or nine of them would "not budge one little bit", he said.
"They’ve put all their savings into these places and it’s cheap living out here and that’s why they’re out here."
Mr Wilson said some residents were "convinced" Ngāi Tahu’s decision to end their leases was related to Kaitorete Spit being considered as a site for rocket launching pads.
The Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre, a joint venture between the government and local iwi which had been in the works since 2020, officially opened at Kaitorete Spit earlier this year, about 7.5km away from Greenpark Huts.
Te Taumutu Rūnanga chairwoman Dr Liz Brown denied the launching pads had anything to do with the decision to end the leases.
"We are aware that there have been rumours circulating amongst the Greenpark Huts leaseholders that there is a connection between the end of their leases and Tāwhaki, but this is not the case."
Lake Ellesmere is a lake of great significance for mana whenua for food gathering.
As redress under the Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998, the Greenpark Huts were returned to the rūnanga.
