Sir Peter Jackson’s WingNut Films is believed to have withdrawn funds from iwi’s Shelly Bay litigation fight

An iwi group that disputes the land sale in Wellington’s Shelly Bay has lost funds from key allies to its court case, leaving its members scrambling to raise millions of dollars.

The Herald understands that the party is WingNut Films, of which Sir Peter Jackson is director.

Mau Whenua is a group within Taranaki Whānui that questions whether the iwi-owned land in Shelly Bay should have been sold for a controversial $ 500 million housing development.

The Herald previously reported that WingNut Films was funding the iwi group.

Court documents seen by the Herald showed that the company had agreed to cover certain costs in addition to those paid by the plaintiffs.

The grant agreement stipulated that the company must not interfere, meddle, or otherwise influence procedures.

But today Mau Whenua said that on December 18 funding of the case by the main allies would cease, calling it a “bitter blow.”

Member Dr. Catherine Love acknowledged the effects of Covid-19 on the film industry and the “tough decisions” that Mau Whenua’s allies and supporters have been forced to make.

“They have been strong and reliable allies for our kaupapa – to expose and correct injustice, to maintain our land, and to uphold environmental principles related to our land and port.”

WingNut Films and its directors have been contacted for comment.

Jackson has long been opposed to the Shelly Bay plans, describing the development as one that would invoke Soviet-era apartment blocks dumped on the picturesque Wellington Peninsula.

Love said Mau Whenua had other financial contributors both large and small.

But he confirmed that the group would have to contribute most of the $ 2.2 million needed for the litigation, which he described as a conservative estimate.

“The legal costs are prohibitive for ordinary people to have access to good quality representation and to take on the big players.”

Love was still “deeply grateful” for those who were willing to stand up for their community, despite the funds now being taken off the table.

Lawyers in the case filed a memorandum this morning notifying the court of the pending cessation of funding arrangements, Mau Whenua said.

The group is now exploring alternative options to raise money to continue their case.

Ideally, Mau Whenua could get the money before Dec. 18, Love said, but the court case could be delayed if that is not possible.

If the funds cannot be raised, the case cannot be filed in Superior Court.

Last month, Mau Whenua began a land occupation in Shelly Bay in order to remain there until the court hears the case in March 2021.

Mau Whenua represents the iwi members who voted not to sell the land, those who have reconsidered their position on the sale and no longer support it, and those who say they did not have the opportunity to vote.

The scope of that representation also includes “all New Zealanders who oppose the current development proposal,” according to the group’s Facebook page.

The Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust moved to sell iwi-owned land in Shelly Bay in 2016, but the trust failed to get 75 percent of the votes needed.

Instead, the land was sold separately in parcels to Shelly Bay developer Ian Cassels, it is alleged, as a way to prevent the deal from being classified as a major transaction.

Mau Whenua claims that the trust was against the will of his own people and that the deal was made in secret.

Love said the occupation of the land will continue for as long as necessary.