Consents for a 173-berth extensions to the Opua Marina have been applied for.
According to Pita Tipene, “Their aim is to be making money off foreigners while the aim of Ngāti Hine is the care of the river and the land and by achieving that we are taking care of our own people.”
The history of the river originates back to Hawaiki, the hapu of the Taumarere district have clearly indicated they're not keen for council to have the final say on the matter.
Hirini Henare says, “We are urging Regional Council to talk with us because we don’t want the extension to go ahead and so we need to continue talks on the matter.”
Lead by the District Councils business arm, Far North Holdings Limited, the marina is still yet to realise the employment and livelihoods forecast to be created from the original project with a majority of berths owned by boaties who don't reside in the district.
If approved extensions to the marina will begin before the end of the year.