Contact also appears to imply Ngāi Tahu has overstated the cultural importance to iwi of the proposed wind farm site at Slopedown (Pawakataka), near Wyndham.
Ngāi Tahu has declined to respond to Contact’s comments, which appear in its response to feedback from affected stakeholders about the proposal.
Over 76 pages, Contact addressed feedback from 18 other stakeholders, including Environment Southland, Forest & Bird, the West Catlins Preservation Society and local landowners, several of which raised concerns about potential environmental, visual and amenity impacts arising from the project, but was particularly pointed about Ngāi Tahu’s feedback.
Ngāi Tahu said it opposed the wind farm proposal for three key reasons: that it would have significant effects on the cultural landscape of Pawakataka and impact the associated connections and relationship that iwi have with the hill and its surrounding area; that it was of great importance to iwi that Pawakataka and the surrounding environment is restored, over time, to a natural landform, protected where necessary, and improved for cultural wellbeing and use; and to ensure there were no further adverse effects on mahinga kai (traditional food sources) species and habitat, the ability to use and access the area, and water quality.
In its response to that feedback, Contact pointed out several inconsistencies in Ngāi Tahu’s position, while welcoming further dialogue and iwi involvement in the project as it progressed.
Contact appeared to imply Ngāi Tahu had overstated the cultural importance to iwi of the proposed wind farm site, and was adopting an ambivalent position in regard to the fast-track consent process.
The response pointed out Pawakataka was not formally registered as a site of Māori cultural importance.
“Pawakataka/Slopedown does not feature in Ngāi Tahu’s cultural atlas/cultural mapping project, Kā Huru Manu,” Contact said.
In addition, under treaty settlements, in 2005 Ngāi Tahu had acquired and sold part of the wind farm site used for forestry.
Contact said Ngāi Tahu’s cultural impact assessment did not mention the site having been in relatively recent iwi ownership and “sold … presumably for commercial reasons”.
The sale allowed for ongoing Ngāi Tahu access to the land for traditional purposes for 10,000 years.
Despite that, Contact said, “in the past 20 years this right does not appear to have been exercised by anyone”.
Regarding Ngāi Tahu’s perceived ambivalence to the fast-track process, Contact pointed out Ngāi Tahu had used the consenting process for projects of its own.
“The panel will have noted the comments by Ngāi Tahu entities … generally expressing dissatisfaction with the use of the Fast-track Act. Contact has explained to Kā Papatipu Rūnaka that it made its application under the Act because of the urgency with which it is trying to meet the strong need for the project.
“As the panel knows, Ngāi Tahu commercial entities have themselves sought to use the Fast-track Act process to progress developments they consider important and urgent.”
Despite challenging Ngāi Tahu on these points, Contact said it welcomed further dialogue and iwi involvement in the project as it progressed.
It suggested the project was “a golden opportunity for Kā Papatipu Rūnaka and Ngāi Tahu whānui to reconnect with the site”.
Yesterday, an iwi spokesman said Ngāi Tahu had made its position clear in its feedback to the panel, and would not be responding to Contact’s insinuations.
“It is important that our Ngāi Tahu position is not framed by others. Our position and concerns are clearly outlined in documents publicly available on the EPA website. As these documents outline our position we will not be commenting further.”
Contact is trying to get consent for the project through the fast-track consent process.
