Dear Department of Conservation,
On 18 March 2014 John Klaricich made the following statement
..We seek that the Crown restore our role as kaitiaki of this place (Araiteuru) and provide capital funding for an opportunity to protect and preserve this place in perpetuity.
In the same spirit as 4000sq.m was given for parking, we now seek a similar area close to Araiteuru, to be transferred over to Wahapu as a part of settlement - so we can offer a tourist orientated commercial development, discretely, sensitively designed and operated. Such a proposition has previously been discussed between DOC 1and the Hokianga Historical Society and we believe that as keeping Araiteuru protected is a major focus for us, we should deliberately use the adjoining land to support that focus.
We acknowledge the statutory acknowledgement of Te Iwi o Te Roroa, and what that inclusion means, however Te Wahapu as Ahikaa seek engagement with Crown as described above.

My questions are
What talks or discussions has DOC had with Te Wahapu or its proxies in regard to this commercial proposal, which is explicitly included as part of a settlement sought by the Te Wahapu group at the present time? When have talks taken place? Who from DOC has partaken in these talks? Does DOC regard Te Wahapu as its "Treaty Settlement Partner", as Te Wahapu clearly seeks restoration of Araiteuru to it exclusively, as kaitiaki and Ahikaa.
The talks between DOC and the Hokianga Historical Society have been long in abeyance, however Mr. Klaricich is talking in the present tense so details of the current situation between the two parties Te Wahapu and DOC must be clarified.

Yours faithfully,
GMTinker

Dear OIA,
The reply given by the Department of Conservation is unsatisfactory. Noticeably absent from the list of searches undertaken by the Department in regard to my request is the absence of mention of the Araiteuru Steering Committee. There is an obvious discrepancy in the understanding of the word "proxies".
Considering that all Maori members of the Committee are affiliated to Te Wahapu, I understandably regard it as a Te Wahapu proxy. The Department also understandably does not share this view.
Accordingly I wish to rephrase my original,request with the following.

The reality being DOC has an established working relationship in place with the Araiteuru Steering Committee. In this case, what if any discussions have been entered into with the Steering Committee concerning commercial development Post Settlement aimed at the Tourist Market?
Considering the working relationship already in place does DOC actively favour working with the Araiteuru Steering Committee as opposed to other Hapu representative groups?
Has DOC ever been in active long term contact and discussion with other Hapu groups to hear their desires in regard to this wahi tapu?
If not, why not?

Yours sincerely,

George Martin Tinker