(file image) Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira are negotiating the possible purchase of 50 hectares of land owned by Radio New Zealand (RNZ) at Tītahi Bay in Wellington.
Ngāti Toa Rūnanga chairperson Callum Kātene said a memorandum of understanding with RNZ had facilitated positive discussions exploring options to work towards meeting the objectives of both parties involved.
An RNZ spokesperson said it operated one transmission tower on the land located at Whitireia Park.
Kātene said discussions with RNZ had been ongoing since 2020 and a strong partnership had developed between the parties.
"Ngāti Toa have always held Whitireia in our hearts, ever since the Anglican church was given a crown grant to the land in 1850 and Radio New Zealand understands that and the pain it's caused."
RNZ said discussions were progressing well and any land sale would not impact its transmission operations at Tītahi bay.
Kātene said the iwi had already purchased 40 schools across the Wellington region, and the Ministry of Education was continuing to use the land by leasing it back.
"Hopefully we can move to a point where we both make the prudent decisions, so that Radio New Zealand can get an appropriate return and continue to meet their legislative obligations and Ngāti Toa can finally see the return of the land after 170 years of alienation," Kātene said.
RNZ and Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira hoped to reach an outcome and decision early in 2024.
"We aren't purchasing this land because it's an economic decision for us, we are purchasing this land because we have a spiritual connection to it," Kātene said.
"Whitireia is our spiritual home, if you hear a Ngāti Toa pēpeha you'll hear Whitireia mentioned."