“Lack Of Warning” For Maori Houses Removal

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29772, 15 March 1962, Page 8

“Lack Of Warning” For Maori Houses Removal

(New Zealand Press Association)

HASTINGS, March 14.

Mr C. S. Hawkins, chairman of the Omahu tribal committee, alleged today that occupants of houses demolished at the Omahu pa on Monday had insufficient warning that the work was to proceed. He said some householders returned from work on Monday evening to find their homes demolished. Bulldozers demolished five houses at the pa, at Fernhill, six miles from Hastings, as the first step in a new ’housing project for this Maori settlement. The houses destroyed were all old and dilapidated. Three newer houses were left.

The pa is on what was formerly a Maori reserve of 14 acres. Five acres are being retained for a marae, and nine acres will be available for subdivision.

“The people were sensible. They know full well the value of this housing development and they have never been in opposition to the idee of financing new homes,” Mr Hawkins said.

“But they were offended when they came home from work to find their homes demolished. My brother-in-law was one of them, and he didn’t know his house was to be demolished that day,” he said. Mr Hawkins said that a tribal meeting had been held on Sunday afternoon when the Maori representative on the area’s board of trustees had spoken.

“He said then that the pakeha was going to move in to clean up the sections this week, and added, ‘As you can see they have already started in pushing over trees.’ “It was at rhat stage that I told the people I felt sure this work would take place withan two or three days, although not being a trustee I had no real authority to make that statement. “I said the trustees had high hopes of having the place cleaned up and ready for the surveyors by Thursday morning.”

Mr Hawkins said people whose homes had been demolished had spent the nigtat at the pa meeting house and had subsequently been found alternative accommodation.