"Pay it yourself": Shane Jones, New Zealand's first MP, ignores hapū's Papatūānuku proposal

The first Australian MP Shane Jones presented a proposal for a giant statue of Papatūānuku at Bastion Point. outside for work.

The Auckland Council provided $ 1 million in its budget for the project, but Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei spokesman Ngarimu Blair said the idea was unformed and that 39, was "the first days"

Stuff the statue, or po, was discussed for 18 months by the council of the reserve of Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei, which is chaired by the iwi , includes an Auckland advisor, Desley Simpson, and co-directs the Bastion Point field

. is also Minister of Regional Economic Development and Associate Minister of Finance, torn in the idea during an interview with Stuff Monday.

"The notion that Auckland taxpayers should bear the costs of this cultural mimicry promoted by the Ōrākei hapū is laughable," Jones said.

"We must keep in mind that Maori in Ōrākei do not have an exclusive right to promote a statue in the form of the goddess of the land on behalf of anyone" If they want it for themselves, then they should spend their own money and not distort the Maori community wider than a statue, in the form of Christ the Redeemer of Brazil, is an appropriate expression of the Maori Jones's identity says that he was talking about the proposal because "a significant number of Maori" – the Auckland taxpayers and those from the north – were aghast at the proposal, which was put in place by Jones "in the form of a cultural balloon without any consultation, without warrant and without support"

"If such a pretentious gesture is their long-term ambition then pay them yourself."

Meanwhile, Ngāti Whātua was trying to slow down the discussion of the statue's plans on his lot at Bastion Point.

Ngarimu Blair said that there was still no approval from the owner, the Ngāti Whātua Trust, and The 10-year Council Budget provides up to $ 100,000 funding for the reserves board this year, and up to $ 900,000 to complete the project the following years, but in the expectation of

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff had enthusiastically supported the idea of ​​a statue of the Mother of Papatuanuku Land over Waitemata Harbor

"The louse has the potential to be an iconic symbol of Auckland reflect the unique culture and identity of our city and are valued equally by Maori, the wider community and international visitors to our region, "said Mr. Goff

. 39, he was "stunned" that the Auckland Council had "a change of reserve to give to the richest hapū of Maoridom" when the gov It also supported the city council's ability to raise funds through a regional fuel tax.

"The word Papatūānuku means goddess of the earth, what do they think of erecting a massive planet? I would like to tell you, culturally, that their thinking is off the planet," Jones said.

The proposal was to be subject to "rigorous discussion, debate and agreement by all Auckland affiliates".

"Now, if they want to provide leadership on an iconic site, then determine which tree will go on One Tree Hill," Jones says. "And since I'm the billion dollar tree I've had some options for them."

Blair said that Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei knew that 4% of the New Zealand tourism dollar was captured by the Maori.

"Yet, 70% of New Zealand's promotion uses our face, our moko," he said.

An attraction on Bastion Point was also part of the work iwi was doing on tourism opportunities on his own land.

"There is an iconic pattern planned for Takaparawhau, Bastion Point," Confidence confirmed in a statement, which said that conceptual conceptions were considered d.

"Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei supports the idea of ​​having a culturally significant icon in Tamaki Makaurau, which will be recognized around the world," he said.

The iwi and others across Auckland have their eyes riveted on tourism opportunities in 2021, when the city hosts the America's Cup, the meeting of APEC leaders and the national finals of Kapa haka.

Blair said, for Ngāti Whātua, that it was an investment decision. other elements such as a reception center or a cultural center.

Another early opponent to this idea was Helensville MP, Chris Penk.

"Please, please, sort out the basic infrastructure in the West and North West (and elsewhere too ..) but start with my patch) before talking about statues! he wrote in a post on Facebook.

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