Anna McMartin

Oct 24, 2024 | northandsouth.co.nz | Clare Thomson |Anna McMartin

Allan Titford bought the farm at Maunganui Bluff in 1986, cheap at $600,000. He planned to subdivide it, quickly paying off his mortgage to own the remaining land debt free. Soon after, his troubles began. Local Māori occupied part of his farm. Titford met with them, only to have a racial slur thrown at him. Things escalated. His cattle were shot. The police refused to intervene. In December 1988, Te Roroa brought a claim to the Waitangi Tribunal. The claim related to Maunganui Bluff and nearby lands.