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The new Māori authority that looks after Auckland’s volcanic cones is working with church leaders and a local board about the future of a cross on the summit of Puketāpapa-Mount Roskill.
The cross has been removed leaving a stark pole.
The cross has traditionally been erected and illuminated on the summit of Puketapapa-Mt Roskill for short periods at Easter and Christmas prior to the Auckland Council amalgamation.
Since the Super City was established in 2010, because of an oversight, it had remained in place without authorisation.
The chair of the Tūpuna Maunga o Tāmaki Makaurau Authority, Paul Majurey, said discussions between Auckland Council officers, working on behalf of the authority, church leaders and the Puketāpapa Local Board have been amicable.
“Staff met with the forum of church ministers and the local board to help facilitate local discussions, update them on the changes in ownership and discuss the future process for the cross.”
“Those discussions culminated in the removal of the cross on Tuesday,” Majurey said.
Tupuna Maunga o Tamaki Makaurau Authority, which represents Auckland iwi, was set up last year to govern 14 of Auckland’s maunga.
Several changes have been implemented since it was formed.
Cars have been banned from driving up Maungawhau-Mt Eden, the mountains have been made alcohol and smoke-free and a bowls club evicted from its patch on Otahuhu-Mt Richmond.
The sites hold significant spiritual and historical value for Maori and they say the changes are designed to encourage Aucklanders to respect them.
Albert-Eden-Roskill councillor Christine Fletcher says this is an important opportunity for all involved to show tolerance.
“We need to be respectful of all the many and varied cultures and practices of the diverse community, including the Christian community which I consider myself a part of.”
The cross references the history of the suburb.
While the area is now known for its ethnic diversity, Mt Roskill was once dubbed the “Bible belt”.
The Maunga Authority has agreed to receive and consider an application to erect the cross for future events.
Meanwhile the cross has been put in safe storage.
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