Proposal to return Pūrau burial ground to hapū

Christchurch City Council is seeking residents’ views on a proposal to return ownership of a Māori burial ground at Pūrau to a local hapū.

The 1300-square-metre section at 177 Pūrau Avenue, which is widely known as the “Māori reserve”, is currently owned by the Council and has special significance to Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke.

The reserve contains an urupā (Māori burial ground), and Ngāti Wheke would prefer to see it managed by Court-appointed Rāpaki Trustees who already have responsibility for three other urupā in Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour.

There have been ongoing discussions about returning ownership and management of the land for over a century.

Head of Facilities and Property Bruce Rendall says a significant amount of feedback has already gone into the Council’s proposal.

“This is a continuation of a conversation we started with the community back in 2009, and that earlier feedback has helped shape the important proposal today to return the land to Ngāti Wheke.

“By returning it, the hapū could use and protect the land in a way that respects its significant cultural history and value, ensuring guardianship of it for future generations.

The reserve at 177 Pūrau Avenue is a burial site for Chief Tiemi Nohomutu, a Pūrau resident and leading Ngāi Tahu rangatira (tribal chief) during the first decades of European settlement in Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour. You can see his headstone (pictured) when you visit.

“It would also allow Ngāti Wheke to apply for Māori Reservation status, which is something the land has held in name but not in actual law. The land would then exist in a similar way to a cemetery – still publicly accessible, but tapu (sacred).”

Mr Rendall says the nearby Pūrau foreshore and recreation ground are not affected by the Council’s proposal for 177 Pūrau Avenue.        

The land currently has reserve status, so returning it to the hapū would first involve applying to the Department of Conservation to revoke this status under the Reserves Act 1977.

Its ownership could then be transferred from the Council to Ngāti Wheke.

As part of the transfer conditions, Ngāti Wheke would need to apply to the Māori Land Court to have the land set aside as a Māori Reservation urupā under Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993.

The Council is holding a public drop-in session about the proposal at the Pūrau recreation ground’s playground, 187 Purau Avenue, on 26 October at 11am.

Public feedback is open until 1 December 2024.

Find out more and tell us what you think at Kōrero Mai | Let's Talk.