It's been 10 years since Te Arai was purchased by Te Uri ō Hau as part of their treaty settlement package, but only recently has their proposal to develop the land been approved.
According to Rawson Wright of Te Uri o Hau Settlement Trust, “It's been a long time from the start to where we are today, and the decision by the environmental commissioners will allow us to develop this area.”
Held up for years in red tape and opposition to development, a number of environmental groups are now showing support for the naming of the golf course after the endangered NZ fairy tern, with the creation of a charitable trust to maintain the environment.
Under the current proposal, 172ha of coastal land will be formally gifted to the Auckland Council with Te Uri o Hau forecasting the creation of employment and economic benefits for their 7000 beneficiaries through a working relationship with American billionaire, Rick Kayne.
Mr Wright says, “We've put in an economic base so that Te Uri o Hau can go forward in the future.”
What was once a long-term investment goal is now coming closer to fruition.