Fletcher Building say they will not build on sacred Māori land, rejecting claims made by protesters.
Opponents of a large housing development set to be built next to historic Maori land say they will do whatever it takes to stop it going ahead. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
About 30 protesters chanted 'save our land' outside of Fletcher's annual general meeting this morning.
They said sacred land will be destroyed if 480 houses built alongside Ihumāto and Ōtuataua Stonefields Reserve in Mangere.
But Steve Evans from Fletcher Building said the plans would not effect the land protesters were protecting.
Mr Evans said the development will be built solely on the land beside the reserve, with no overlap onto the protected site.
"We've got Iwi support. We have continued positive engagement with iwi that will enable the development to go ahead."
Pania Newton, lead protester from Save Our Unique Landscape, said their failed bid to overturn Fletcher's rights to build at the Environment Court was disheartening.
However, support was strong and their number grow stronger everyday.
"We're here to remind them that the community and the whānau and the group opposing the development are still here.
"It's never too late as well to step back from this deal and do something great with this land."
All New Zealanders should be able to enjoy the cultural and heritage site, not just the multi-millionaire home-owners, she said.
"We should think about innovative ways come up with solutions that we can all live with and ways that we can preserve the land and the histories and the stories that it has to tell for the future generations."
Protester Katy Nolan said it brought tears to her eyes that Fletchers will build on the land.
"It's just shocking to see that they want to build houses on this land, I want to see my kids running on that land."
Robyn Ngapera, another protester, said she was very disappointed permission to build was not overturned, but the group would continue to fight for what was right.
"Corruption is everywhere and people need to know. There will be people in power and they will want to do the right thing, so that's what we want to see. It's not over."