I respond to the suggestion by M Stanley for the construction of a gondola up Mauao, with coffee/restaurant and toilet facilities at the summit (Weekend Sun, January 24).
This was suggested around 30 years ago, but soundly rejected by council, tangata whenua and many of the general public.

It is obvious M Stanley doesn't know that ownership of Mauao (except for the camping and swimming areas) was returned to tangata whenua by Act of Parliament in 2008.

This was in recognition of the skulduggery by the Crown around the turn of the century 1800/1900, in acquiring ownership of this most iconic geographical and historical feature of the Western Bay of Plenty.

If M Stanley does have knowledge of this, then his above suggestion and general derogatory attitude toward Maori, graphically exposes his or her profound racial bigotry.
However, I invite M Stanley to hui with tangata whenua on one of our marae, it's a long time since we have enjoyed a feast of puha and pakeha.

Colin Bidois, Pyes Pa.