Residents of the small lakeside village Greenpark near Lake Ellesmere are facing a tough situation as their lease on land owned by Ngāi Tahu expires in June.
The community, which includes families that have lived there for generations has been notified they must remove their properties and vacate the land due to non-compliance with environmental regulations. According to a report in legacy media outlet NZ Herald this morning, Ngāi Tahu cites the proximity of the homes to Lake Ellesmere and inadequate waste and water systems as primary concerns, with the risk of untreated wastewater being discharged into the culturally and ecologically significant lake.
Despite being given a four-year notice period many residents are struggling to come to terms with the eviction.
The situation is complicated by the financial and emotional toll on the residents, many of whom are pensioners with no alternative housing options. The cost of demolishing homes and clearing sites, although mitigated by Ngāi Tahu’s offer to cover certain fees and facilitate contractor arrangements, remains a significant financial burden.
Appeals for government compensation have been unsuccessful, as the matter is deemed a private property issue between the residents and the iwi. As the deadline approaches some residents are vowing to resist eviction.
