Fuming developer tries ghost-busting

In a series of events smacking of Steven Spielberg's movie Poltergeist, a judge has given an interim decision in the High Court at Hamilton about unexplained events in houses surrounding the Rolleston St site.

In his interim decision last month, Justice David Baragwanath referred to the strange goings-on.

"Mr Pania Gage, kaumatua of Hauraki and Maori warden, recounted a history of events nearly 40 years ago and then about six years ago, what he described as strange noises and on the latter occasion lights flicking on and off and water running without explanation.

"Each appears to have been suggestive to him of breach of tapu that required karakia [prayer] to achieve good wairua [spirit].

"He described the subject site as tapu [sacred]," Justice Baragwanath wrote, reserving his decision until the parties could meet and attempt a resolution.

The bitter dispute is over work on the former Pukerahui Pa site where land owner Cornelis (Case) Kruithof wants to build houses, but which Ngati Maru claim is sacred.

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