The Waikanae Case: Its Impact On Ngai Tahu, Developers, the Council and the City's Future

With Christchurch's future to be decided, The NZR looks into a crucial legal battle between the Kapiti Coast District Council, a developer & local iwi and its implications for Ngai Tahu and others.

In August 2023, Kapiti Coast District Council’s decision to designate part of Waikanae Beach “wahi tapu” was hailed by Dr Mahina-a-rangi Baker, according to The NZ Herald. The Waikanae Land Company intended to build on this land that local iwi believed held the remains of ancestors killed in the 1839 Battle of Kuititanga and where bones had been found at the beginning of the century.

8A Beachville Road is valued at $2.26 million/ realestate.co.nz

In this article, The NZR looks into the ensuing legal battle between Kapiti, the developer and a local iwi and the implications of the Waikanae for Christchurch and Ngai Tahu’s sites of cultural significance (in areas on Beachville Road in Redcliffs), as the city awaits the rules that will determine its future makeup.

Beachville Road, Redcliffs (Egyed Vegel via Google Maps)

Ngai Tahi’s sites include Lyttelton Harbour, Port Levy, and Akaroa Harbour, in the central city, and the Nga Turanga Tupuna Beachville Road area in Redcliffs.

realestate.co.nz’s website says that April’s median price for Redcliffs properties ranged between $800,000 and $1 million, with one property for sale for $1.5 million. 8A Beachville Road was valued at $2.26 million.

During the city’s own Independent Hearings Panel hearings, the Carter Group asked the panel to lift the “culturally significant” designation from both sides of Beachville Road. The Council rejected the group’s submission and it was withdrawn.