Mana whenua involved in the City Rail Link (CRL) project today carried out Mahi Ōkawa (formal blessing) of the new CRL stations.
The eight iwi of the City Rail Link Mana Whenua Forum are Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Te Ākitai Waiohua, Te Kawerau ā Maki, Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Tamaoho, and Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua.
With the project now into the final readiness phase, this morning’s milestone - led by tangata whenua Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei - provided important tikanga and cultural safety ahead of upcoming "First Look" public open day events and the commencement of passenger services.
Ngārimu Blair, Deputy Chair of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, says the City Rail Link is an important step in a wider journey to transform not only Auckland’s city centre, but the economy of the entire region.
“Our related iwi from across the region were represented in today’s ceremony, which we led to recognise the regional significance and impact of the City Rail Link. By connecting people and communities more efficiently and affordably, the CRL will bring Auckland’s suburbs closer together and deliver positive economic and environmental benefits for generations to come.”
The milestone reflects the ongoing partnership, collaboration and collective effort between mana whenua and the City Rail Link project partners - which started more than a decade ago.
It also provided an opportunity to reflect on the journey that has brought Aotearoa New Zealand's largest transport infrastructure project to this significant moment, and to honour the whenua, people and partnerships which have guided the project.
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