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Te Rūnanga o Raukawa wrote to KiwiRail today regarding re-engagement with Ngāti Kauwhat over the rail and road freight centre yet to be built between Palmerston North and Bunnythorpe — it is a plea by 25 hapū and iwi.

Te Rūnanga o Raukawa Chair Kelly Bevan says that it will be the largest infrastructure project in the Manawatū for generations to come.

“We fully support our Aorangi and Kauwhata whanaunga. Our people are tired of being played off against each other whether the intent was there or through negligence,” said Kelly Bevan.

“It is on land with complex layers of iwi history, and the outcome must provide for Māori values in a mana enhancing way.”

The iwi bodies have a long history in working together within infrastructure projects including the terms of social services.

KiwiRail is expected to do well if the values come to back to the table.

Te Rūnanga o Raukawa Chief Executive Officer Lindsay Poutama says practice between iwi, hapū and Māori organisations is a phase of working together and an example of larger patterns around the country.

“Locally, there is Te Ahu a Turanga the project to replace the Gorge Road. Another is the Te Tihi Whanauora Alliance which has nine,” said Lindsay Poutama.

“All iwi deserve respect, and until KiwiRail comes back with an inclusive pathway forward, then Raukawa will not progress the Cultural Impact Assessment.”

Image: SUPPLIED

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