Ihumātao: Police presence increased, then de-escalated at site

Monday, 5 August 2019

Peaceful protesters at Ihumātao have been cut off by police who have descended on the site in increased numbers.

After 7pm on Monday, police increased their numbers to about 100, with occupiers saying they counted 68 police cars.

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Occupiers at Ihumātao on Monday night, where the Police presence was unexpectedly stepped up

It marked a significant increase from previous days, as occupiers faced wintry conditions for their 14th night on the whenua.

But between midnight and 1am, the police presence was de-escalated, according to protesters.

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Protest leader Pania Newton says she can't explain why more than 80 extra police turned up.

No arrests had been made and no trespass notices had been issued, police said at around 11pm.

'We've been told we could be trespassed or at worst arrested [but] nobody has been arrested, which is good, because that's not our kaupapa,' the group's leader Pania Newton said in a live video.

'Our kaupapa is to protect the whenua.'

Police said they were 'continuing to monitor the situation at Ihumātao and assess our operational response'.

As Newton spoke, a call for more people to join the occupation went out, as numbers on the front line had been reduced to about 30 people. It is understood the number of protesters swelled in response.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern talks to Corin Dann about the increased police presence at Ihumātao, where a land protest is taking place.

Occupiers say police gave no indication they were going to increase their presence, and initially claimed officers were not letting food or blankets be passed to those on the front line. But police said they were not preventing resources being taken in.

Allegations that police officers prevented filming or covered badge numbers were also incorrect, according to a police spokesperson. Police staff at the site are not carrying firearms.

Jos Wheeler, who is at Ihumātao, said people were in good spirits.

'Everyone was heading down to the marae to eat and have showers [when] Police started arriving from the south across the paddock on foot,' Wheeler said.

'Numbers were thin because it's a Monday, everyone was cold. Police have used that opportunity to increase the numbers.'

Regardless, Wheeler said everyone had remained 'peaceful and passive'.

In a statement on Monday night police said they were 'continuing to monitor the situation at Ihumātao and assess our operational response'.

'The decision has been made to deploy additional police officers to maintain order and ensure there is no breach of the peace.

'Police are also continuing to have ongoing dialogue with protest organisers to ensure protest action remains peaceful.'

WHY ARE PEOPLE OCCUPYING IHUMĀTAO?

Ihumātao, located near Auckland Airport, is a section of land earmarked for housing development by Fletcher Building.

The land is sacred to Māori and a group of about a dozen people have occupied it for the past three years in peaceful protest against the development.

On July 23, they were issued an eviction notice. Since then, thousands have passed through with many continuing the peaceful occupation.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said no construction will take place at Ihumātao until a solution is reached by all parties.