The Government has been warned against using taxpayer money to resolve the Ihumātao dispute.
Finance Minister Grant Robertson is now leading negotiations and, it's understood, giving a loan to the Auckland Council to buy the land could be a favoured option. But National says that would be a mistake.
It's become a protest demanding patience. Tuhimata Brown moved up from Hamilton to protect the disputed Ihumātao land and has spent over four months fighting for its return.
"I'll do it Christmas, New Years until this gets done," they say.
But it could all be over before then.
On Tuesday, Finance Minister Grant Robertson stepped in to help break the deadlock that's divided Ihumātao mana whenua.
It's reported that for $40 million, Ross Taylor, the Fletchers CEO, will sell up and stop the controversial housing development.
And it's understood the Government could loan Auckland Council the money to buy the land.
"Yes I am meeting with Fletchers, they're in town for a different matter but Ross Taylor is coming to see me," Robertson told media. "[I'm] not going to speculate on the specifics of what's on the table."
Brown says this would be the ideal solution.
"If Jacinda [Ardern] could get it done by the end of the year like she was hoping that would save my Christmas and New Years," they say.
But National says it's not on.
"[They're] doing a dodgy deal with taxpayers money to try and appease everyone but the only ones they'll appease is the protestor," says Paula Bennett.
"I do not think taxpayers and ratepayers should be forking out to resolve this situation."
