Return of Raglan land discussed

Press, 12 January 1987, Page 2

Return of Raglan land discussed

PA Hamilton Mrs Eva Rickard who spearheaded the successful campaign for the return of the Raglan golf course, says Maori people are considering asking for the town’s camping ground and airstrip back. Ngati Mahanga descendants of a Raglan chief might end up asking for the return of the Raglan domain camping ground, said Mrs Rickard.

The airstrip next to the camping ground should go back to her Tainui Awhiro people “as of right.” The chief, Te Awaitaia, was buried on a 1.25 ha reserve which is part of land gifted to the Raglan Domain Board in 1923.,

Mrs Rickard said his descendants, in Wha-

tawhata and Rotorua, wanted' to ensure the reserve was respected. The land was originally gifted as a children’s playground but as a camping ground it had become a major moneyspinner for the town, she said. The descendants were examining the issue, Mrs Rickard said. The chairman of the Raglan Domain Board, Mr Herb Cogswell, said the descendants had “no show of getting the land back” because the board had clear titles to it. The Raglan Post Office and police station stand on the reserve where Te Awaitaia is buried. Mrs Rickard said a compromise could be reached with the Government.