As a lifelong resident in the WBOPDC region I find it hard to believe the council is negotiating to transfer ownership of the multi-million dollar 200ha block at the southern tip of Matakana, Panepane Point, back to Maori. It is a beautiful and valuable public asset, but the value is not the point. All ratepayers are part owners, in my opinion. Our council has a huge debt, which we all must service. I would like someone, presumably our mayor, to explain how a handful of councillors and mayor can even contemplate this sort of deal without asking the real owners, the ratepayers, first. This is unbelievable. This issue is as controversial as race-based wards. I would expect, at the least, that the mayor and deputy mayor, explain to the public owners (who elected them) how they feel they can do this without asking the real owners first. I welcome this explanation.

N Mayo, Katikati.