Submissions to upgrade Ihumātao Ōtuataua Stonefields heritage listing

Submission to Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga — Upgrading List № 6055 Ōtuataua Stonefields, Auckland to Category 1

In general, I support the increase in heritage listing (#6055) from category 2 to category 1 and the recognition of the outstanding and nationally significant heritage landscape of Ihumātao / Te Ihu o Mataoho. I support the inclusion of Lots 1–2 DP 481169 (RT 674557), otherwise known as the Puketaapapa Block or Wallace Block. I support the full increased extent as proposed in the notification however I note that while this is appropriate for a listing through the eurocentric heritage listing process the wider ancestral wāhi tūpuna of Ihumātao requires the full extent of place including Te Motu a Hiaora, Waitomokia, Maungataketake, Ooruarangi and Puketaapapa papakaainga.

The amendments I seek to specific provisions follow:

Of considerable importance is a change in the name of the listing. The listing must be changed from Ōtuataua Stonefields to Ihumātao / Te Ihu o Mataoho. The Otuataua Stonefields should remain as the name for the reserve but as it is now a part of a larger listed place the appropriate name, and the one for which the area is known, is Ihumātao or Te Ihu o Mataoho.

Justification — The naming convention should be through a Te Ao Māori framework. The use of Ihumātao also recognises the dual heritage of the place. This name has ancestral connections as well as referencing the colonial heritage of the place (note: the legal title given to the confiscated land block in 1866 SO 237, North Auckland Land District Notification was Ihumātao.). Ihumātao also recognises the full range of geomorphological values, the social history of the place and 200 years of one farming family. Also, Ihumātao is now how the land is known as a result of the recent campaign to protect the land which has reached hundreds of thousands of people nationally and internationally.

Criteria K — Add to the listing the following text: “The area identified for the category 1 listing is part of a wider wāhi tūpuna and cultural heritage landscape which has strong traditional associations with the ancestral tūpuna Hape and Mataoho, and is outstandingly significant to tangata whenua, Te Ahiwaru, Te Akitai and the ahi kā of Makaurau Marae. Greater emphasis should be put on the continuous spiritual, cultural and visual landscape values of the wider area included in the ancestral landscape of Te Waiōhua; Te Puketaapapatanga a Hape, Ootuataua, Te Motu ā Hiaroa, Ooruarangi, Waitomokia and Maungataketake. All these components of the place are integral to the identity, sense of belonging and cultural well-being of the ahi kā and as such qualify as wāhi tūpuna. Whilst some of these features are significantly altered by colonial activity, this landscape is outstandingly representative of the value to tangata whenua as a wāhi tūpuna and to the country as a cultural heritage landscape.”

Criteria H — The notified version has not attributed significance to the “symbolic or commemorative value of the place”. This is incorrect in my view.

Change significance level to Outstanding.

Justification –This place is outstandingly significant because it is symbolically representative of critical social justice movements in Aotearoa’s history:

• Association with the Kingitanga movement
• Place where 1984 Waitangi Tribunal hearings were held in recognition of its pou rangatira status
• #protectihumātao campaign that has reached hundreds of thousands nationally and internationally as well as more than 54,000 petition signatories.

Criteria G — The notified version has not attributed significance to the “technical accomplishment, value, or design of the place:”. This is incorrect in my view.

Change significance level to Outstanding.

Justification — This place is outstandingly significant because of its sophisticated technical systems of gardening and farming.

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