An abandoned boat on the main road in Te Teko has been removed through the joint efforts of the Ihukatia Trust, Te Teko Ratepayers Association, Te Teko Police and Metal Work Solutions.

In October 2023, the boat was dumped on an empty section in central Te Teko.  Unsightly and derelict, it became a health and safety issue, especially for tamariki who were climbing the structure.

Ihukatia Trust trustee and Rangitaīki Māori Ward Councillor Tu O’Brien said Whakatāne District Council was not authorised to intervene because the boat was on privately owned land.

In January 2024, it was reported the boat owner was working on fencing the area. This did not happen.

“You can understand how angry people were,” Mr O’Brien said.

Through the combined efforts of the Te Teko Residents Association and the police, the owner of the land was tracked down, and through him, the owner of the boat.

The boat owner made it clear he was uninterested in returning to move the boat and granted permission for anyone who wanted to remove it, to do so at their own cost.

Once he had a letter of confirmation from the police, Mr O’Brien sought approval from fellow trustees of the Ihukatia Trust, John Hunia and Tamaku Paul, requesting the Trust support this important kaupapa.

“We agreed to cover removal costs. Once this was endorsed by the trustees, I contacted Dave Fretwell from Metal Work Solutions” he said.

“We as a local Māori trust have obligations to our people, our whakapapa. This was an opportunity to support our community.”

Mr Fretwell said Metal Solutions planned to remove the boat cabin and then slice the remains of the boat down the middle. He said Metal Solutions were happy to be a part of the solution.

Work began on Monday morning, the boat was dismantled and taken to Metal Solutions to be re-purposed.

“The community will be glad to see it gone,” he said.