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A descendant of Ngati Toa, Raukawa and Te Atiawa
is opposing the Transport Ministry's plan to build a motorway
through their sacred ancestral site.
She says the Ministry didn't give her time to review the plans.
It's ancestral land and so it is not for sale, especially for a motorway.
She is considering taking the matter to the Maori Land Court.
Patricia said iwi once owned 10,000 acres of the land.
Now it's less than 1.4 acres.
Her concern is that the Ministry of Transport
just informed her recently.
If Minister Joyce gets his way roads will be built over this land
where burial sights will be lost.
According to Patricia Grace,
beyond that rise are the sacred lands and sites of her ancestors.
The same site she refuses to be used for a road.
The Ministry says if the matter goes to court
they will start construction after.
In coming weeks, iwi and others opposed to the road
will meet with the Ministry.
Joe Glen, Te Karere.