Talk sheet about Honour The Maunga
Use this handy talk sheet for a quick overview about Honour The Maunga and the tree protection issue.
About Honour The Maunga – who we are and what we stand for
We are a community group of volunteers who has been protecting Ōwairaka / Mt Albert’s trees since 11 November 2019.
Our mission is to honour Ōwairaka / Mt Albert and all the life-forms she supports by preventing Tūpuna Maunga Authority from felling 345 healthy, mature trees.
We accept Tūpuna Maunga Authority’s long-term vision to cloak the maunga in native plants. However, we are against the environmentally destructive nature of their proposed process.
Like Māori – and Tūpuna Maunga Authority – we believe: If the maunga are well, Auckland is well” (Maunga tū mauri ora, maunga tu Makaurau ora).
While we do NOT claim ownership of the maunga, we do acknowledge our own deeply held spiritual connections with Ōwairaka.
Why this matters
Auckland has lost more than 30% of its urban trees in recent years. It is a climate emergency, so trees are needed more than ever before yet Tūpuna Maunga Authority plans to fell at least 2000 trees off all 14 Auckland maunga under its control.
The proposed native vegetation comprise mostly small plants that will only sequester a fraction of carbon compared to the condemned trees. Experts – including the Department of Conservation - agree the best results will be achieved through succession planting over many decades.
Removing so many trees in a short timeframe will affect the maunga, its lifeforms and the surrounding environment for many years to come.
The Authority never consulted anybody (Māori or non-Māori) before it began clear-felling exotic trees from Auckland’s maunga. It also refuses to hold a public meeting to answer people’s questions.
Auckland Council (who funds the Authority) has also failed its obligations to the people of Auckland, as have the Authority’s six Council representatives. These representatives refuse to engage with us.
What we are asking for
There needs to be an environmentally sound approach to native revegetation. We will remain here until we receive a written binding agreement for no healthy, mature trees tree to be felled here. Standing strong will help to prevent this happening to trees on other maunga.
Honour the Maunga is calling on Tūpuna Maunga Authority to engage constructively with local communities, and to be more transparent given its significant power and ratepayer-funded budget.
How you can help
Help on our roster because our success depends upon having a daily presence
Sign our tree protection petition at Change.org
Donate (cash or via Givealittle)
Join our Facebook group @Honour The Maunga Community
Spread the word amongst your own friends and communities
Publicly voice your concerns (e.g. to your MPs, councillors, letters to the editor, etc,)
Why did Honour the Maunga move outside the Owairaka Domain gates?
In keeping with the Government’s requirements, we stood down from our occupation before the Covid Level 4 lockdown came into force. The Authority took the opportunity to come in the dead of night and take everything away.
Some members of the public have initiated a Judicial Review against Tupuna Maunga Authority and Auckland Council, which is due to be heard in the Auckland High Court on 8-9 June. It is likely to be several months before a decision is delivered.
The trees are safe for now because the Authority has given the High Court a written undertaking that they won't fell or harm any trees before the decision is released.
There is no need to maintain a 24 x 7 occupation at present. However, our ongoing community outreach is invaluable for keeping the issue in the spotlight, educating the public about what is going on, and also keeping our people and our local community engaged in the cause.
Being clever, lawful, level-headed and agile in our approach whilst always acting with the utmost integrity has helped make Honour the Maunga the success it is today.
Thanks to our tireless efforts, the trees, birds and other lifeforms are all still here. That's a great cause for celebration. However, the current situation is very different to what is was back in November, which is why we have decided to take a slightly different approach for now.
Was Honour The Maunga occupying private property when it was on the TMA administered part of the maunga?
The Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Act 2014 vested ownership of 14 Auckland volcanic cones (maunga) to a collective of 13 iwi / hapu on the basis that they are held in trust for the common benefit of those iwi/hapū and the other people of Auckland.
“The other people of Auckland” includes Māori who were not part of that Treaty settlement, as well as people from other ethnic groups.
While Ngā Mana Whenua own the land, the Treaty settlement provided for a subtle shift in ownership. For example, the Treaty settlement required each maunga to be a reserve, under the Reserves Act 1977, which therefore guarantees public access.
By questioning the Authority, is Honour The Maunga criticising Maori?
No, for two reasons:
1) We are questioning ratepayer-funded flawed processes; we are not criticising a people.
2) The Authority has 12 voting members - 6 represent Ngā Mana Whenua and 6 are elected Auckland Council members who represent the other people of Auckland.
In questioning the Authority’s actions , we are questioning its Auckland Council members as much (if not more) as anyone.
After all, their job in the Authority’s co-governance structure is to represent all Aucklanders. It is a shame our elected Council representatives sitting on the Authority appear to have forgotten that part of their mandate.
The Authority’s Council members also appear to have forgotten that they are also there to represent the interests of the ratepayers who elected them into office in the first place.