Ohaakie Marae
This website is presented by the Ohaaki Working Party. The Working Party was formed in 2003 and comprises representatives of: The terms of reference of the Working Party have been "to work together to identify a practical and certain way to mitigate the effects of subsidence on Te Ohaaki that provides a durable solution for Iwi and secures cultural and social benefits for future generations, while recognising traditional values".

The aim of the website is to provide information on the ground subsidence issue at Ohaaki and what the Working Party are doing to progress a long term solution. The website gives some background to the issue and explains the implications for Ohaaki Marae. It explains the options that have been investigated by the Working Party and the way forward that has now been agreed and resolved by majority vote at a hui-a-iwi on 12th Feb 2005 and follow-up hui-a-iwi on 12th September 2009. For a complete chronology of the Working Party's origins and process to date, click on the following link:

Chronology of the Working Party Origins & Process (to June 2011) (PDF, 29KB)

Background: Subsidence at Ohaaki Marae

Over the last 30 years, since the first geothermal production wells were drilled at Ohaaki, the ground surface around Ohaaki Marae has been gradually subsiding (dropping down). Since 1992 the ground level has dropped by about 3.5 metres. The subsidence is being caused by compression of the underground strata about 100 metres below ground level. The subsidence means that the land in the area of Ohaaki Marae is getting closer to the level of the Waikato River. If the ground drops below the level of the river then the site will be permanently flooded. If it drops near to (but not quite below) the level of the river then it will be exposed to an increased risk of short-term flooding whenever the river is running high.

The most recent ground level surveys for this area (in April 2006 and April 2010) show that the rate of subsidence is now slowing. Contact's subsidence experts believe this trend suggests that subsidence around the Marae has nearly stopped. However, the opinion of the independent peer reviewers appointed by the Working Party (Sinclair Knight Merz, 'SKM') is that the current slow-down is only a temporary lull, and that subsidence will continue and probably increase again within the next few years. The Working Party have accepted the SKM interpretation.

SKM have also revised earlier flood predictions for this section of the Waikato River. The new predictions suggest that maximum flood levels on the River are higher than previously assumed, and that the Marae is already at risk from flooding due to the 3.5 metre drop in ground level that has occurred as a result of subsidence over the last 30 years. In a 'worst case' 1-in-100 year flood event SKM predict that the grounds of the marae would be under nearly 1 metre of water for a period of 12 to 24 hours at the peak of the flood.

The Working Party have concluded from these findings that the existing marae is unsafe. Even if there is no further subsidence (as debated between Contact and SKM), the Marae could potentially be flooded in a major storm event any time now. This means that action will be needed to either move or protect the marae.

See Downloads for Reports and Images
View images of the water levels around the Marae taken August 2008

Resolution of February 2005

In September 2004 the Working Party completed a report on options for addressing the subsidence issue at Ohaaki and presented this report to a meeting of the wider iwi on the 12th of February 2005. The report recommends preparing for relocation / re-building of the Marae at a new site as the preferred option. (View the full report)

It was resolved by majority vote at the hui:
  1. That the Recommendations of the Te Ohaaki Marae Working Party Report, September 2004 be accepted in principle
  2. That the Te Ohaaki Marae Working Party be authorised to investigate options and feasibilities for an alternative site for the marae, should an alternative site be required, and report back no later than 26th November 2005

Identification of a Preferred Site

After the February 2005 hui the Working Party completed an investigation of possible alternative sites. These options were presented to the iwi for feedback at a further hui on the 10th of September 2005. A vote was taken between these options. The site most preferred is on high ground, off State Highway 5, opposite the intersection between SH5 and Ohaaki Road.

View the location plan of the preferred site (JPEG, 224KB)

Preferred Site Secured

Since the preferred site was identified in September 2005 the Working Party have been making arrangements to secure it. This has been a difficult process because the preferred site is, itself, trust-administered Maori land. Nevertheless, with the support of the trustees, a land-exchange has now been completed. The exchange was approved by the Maori land Court in December 2010. The site is therefore now owned by the Ngati Tahu Tribal Trust and available, as and when required, as a site for the new marae.

Preparations for Relocation

At hui-a-iwi on the 12th September 2009 and 16th October 2010 the Working Party were directed to continue planning for the future relocation and rebuilding of the marae. That work is under way. As part of the process, advice is being sought from Ngati Tahu kaumatua on appropriate cultural observations. The Working Party have also appointed a project manager to help with overall logistics and planning.

The Working Party were also directed at the 16th October 2010 hui to begin further consultation with beneficiary owners on design concepts for the new marae complex. A series of design workshops are being be convened for this purpose. The first of the workshops was held at Ohaaki Marae on Sunday 12th of June. From now onward, design workshops will be held once a fortnight at the marae. All beneficiary owners are welcome and invited to attend. If you would like any further information about the design workshops, contact Aroha Campbell (027 273-5562). A provisional timetable for future workshops is set out below: To view the current "concept plans" for the marae, design comments and suggestions to date, and notes from the design meetings, click on the links below. Also below is a link to resolutions from the 16 October 2010 hui. Please note that the concept plans are a "work in progress" and are subject to change. They will be altered and refined through the design workshop process.

View current concept plan #1 (JPG)
View current concept plan #2 (JPG)
Design Comments and Suggestions to date (as at 11 July 2011) (PDF)
Notes from Design Workshop Meetings: 12 June, 2011 | 25 June, 2011 | 10 July, 2011 (PDF)
View resolutions of the 16 October 2010 hui

Maori Land Court

The Working Party have tried to ensure that the Maori Land Court is kept informed though this process. A series of updates have been sent through to the MLC and a representative of the Court has attended previous hui-a-iwi.

The Court heard and approved the land swap, in December 2010, to allow the new site to be secured. In August 2010 the Court also re-defined the beneficiary class for Ohaaki Marae. Whereas the marae was previously gazetted as a reservation for the benefit of "the Maori People of New Zealand generally", it is now officially a marae for the benefit of the iwi of Ngati Tahu.