|
02 August 2005
Community Board honours pioneer's wishes
Howick Community Board has made a wise decision and done the right
thing by honouring the will of an early pioneer, says Howick
Councillor Jami-Lee Ross.
Mr
Ross’ comments come after Monday night’s Community Board meeting
where Board members recommended rebuilding the small Maori
learning house, Torere, in the Emilia Maud Nixon Garden of
Memories after it was destroyed by fire last year.
“Emilia Maud Nixon was one of Howick’s early pioneers whose vision
was to bring two cultures together to live and work in harmony.
She dedicated her later life to creating a garden for Howick to
enjoy and she wanted it to continue as a cultural education centre
once she passed on.
“In recent years 16,000 children and new settlers have had the
chance to experience the great learning programs being run in the
Garden of Memories each year. These programs have even been so
successful that the Ministry of Education has decided to give an
annual grant of $150,000 so they can continue into the future. It
is astounding that some people wanted to stop the good work
happening in the Garden of Memories and deny children the
opportunity to learn about the cultural history of New Zealand.”
Mr
Ross says he is concerned that some Community Board members
deliberately deceived Howick residents with false claims about
hidden agendas, and were not up front about their alternative plan
which could run into the millions.
“The same Board members who were prepared to run rough-shod over
Miss Nixon’s wishes were also suggesting that ratepayers should
foot the bill for a large Marae to be built at Pigeon Mountain.
Unfortunately this would also mean throwing away $187,000 in
insurance and the $150,000 Ministry of Education grant. The cost
of building a large Marae will be extremely high and when all
costs are added up, ratepayers could be looking at well over a
million dollars.
“Since that terrible fire last year I have been working with
community representatives to find a way to rebuild Torere in the
Garden of Memories cost effectively, exactly the same size as the
previous building. Despite the negative efforts of some people
involved in the project, I am confident the recommended design is
the best option for Torere to continue as an educational centre
for the benefit of the Howick community.”
Mr
Ross says that rebuilding Torere in the Garden of Memories is
following the wishes of Howick residents, pointing to a 2001
management plan which was publicly consulted for two years.
“Some people have tried to claim that rebuilding Torere is not
what Howick people want and it should be removed. No doubt a small
minority of people will always be against anything Maori, but I
believe most Howick people are more open minded than that. In
actual fact, Miss Nixon wanted her garden to build friendship
between both European and Maori cultures.
“The Garden of Memories management plan received considerable
public input over two years and through that process Howick
residents said they agreed with Torere’s presence.
The
Manukau City Council has also showed commitment to continuing the
wishes of Miss Nixon by exploring the possibility of replacing her
replica Fencible cottage and bridge of friendship.”
Mr
Ross says he welcomes the fact that the Howick Community Board has
stopped playing games and is now looking towards a positive
outcome for everybody. He believes negative comments from some
Board members won’t benefit anyone and will only frustrate the
community further.
“Miss Nixon wanted her Garden to be used for the education of
children and she would surely be delighted with the work that is
carried out in her memory. It is unfortunate that a few closed
minded people have attempted to destroy the value of the Garden of
Memories and derail any progress being made. This Howick icon
needs to continue to shine for future generations and rebuilding
Torere is central to continuing Emilia Maud Nixon’s wishes.”
ENDS
|
