Protesters turned away from Commercial Bay after Black Lives Matter march

Monday, 15 June 2020

Thousands gather for a Black Lives Matter march in Auckland on June 14, 2020, marching from Aotea Square to the US Consulate.

A Black Lives Matter protester says she and her family were turned away from Commercial Bay for carrying signs after a march in Auckland on Sunday.

Thousands of people gathered in Auckland and Wellington to march in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement energised by the outrage and despair over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in the United States.

On Sunday, AUT associate law professor and Māori and Pacific Advancement director Khylee Quince said she and her family along with a couple of other protesters were stopped at the escalators of the $1 billion Commercial Bay mall that opened in Auckland last week, and told by security guards they could not enter with their Black Lives Matter signs, which were A3-sized.

'The message was 'leave your politics at the door',' Quince said.

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AUT associate law professor Khylee Quince and her family were turned away from Commercial Bay for carrying Black Lives Matter signs.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff were at the opening ceremony along with several members of the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei iwi, including leader Taiaha Hawke.

The owner of the Commercial Bay development, Precinct Properties, acknowledges the historical significance of the site at the bottom of Queen Street to Auckland and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei leader Taiaha Hawke officially opening 'Commercial Bay' in Auckland last week.

After posting about her experience on social media, Quince received a reply from Commercial Bay's Instagram account with what she described was a 'classic non-apology apology' where the company blamed the security guards.

'Walking down Queen St there was no added security at any of the shops until you got to Commercial Bay, where every entrance had at least two security guards,' Quince said.

Quince said the company was being disingenuous with its messaging.

Precinct chief executive Scott Pritchard says he 'deeply regretted' protesters being turned away from the mall after the Black Lives Matter march for carrying signs.

'While it is encouraging to see a corporate aware of where they are placed and the historical context of Commercial Bay and how important that site is for Ngāti Whātua, the bottom of the Waihorotiu stream that used to run down Queen Street.

'But they have to do it in genuine ways, it's not enough to window dress on the opening day and on the third day act like a……s when you turn away people that have marched for social equity and racial justice. It's pretty ironic.'

Precinct Properties chief executive Scott Pritchard said it was a 'complete misunderstanding and perhaps miscommunication' with its security team.

'We were advised by the police that they wanted us to have extra security for the protest and to remain on the original track so protesters didn't come through Commercial Bay for security reasons and safety reasons and that's been misunderstood,' Pritchard said.

The Black Lives Matter protest in Auckland ended at the bottom of Queen Street outside the new Commercial Bay mall.

'Some people have been asked not to come in with their signs after the protest and as I say we deeply regret it happened and we apologise. There was no directive for our security people to not let people with signs.

'To ask someone to put their signs down for something they feel really strongly about is very regrettable and we've reached out to those people individually.'

Pritchard said the company had 'reached out' to three people regarding complaints about how they were treated at the mall after the protest.

He said the company did not fear damage to the precinct due to the protest and was in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

'Everyone should feel comfortable to shop at Commercial Bay.'

Quince said she wouldn't shop at Commercial Bay unless they 'made things right'.

'I would like to see they mean the message their website implies which is they want to operate in a way that is aware of the context and they do some cultural sensitivity training.'

Pritchard said it was having 'a number of discussions' even before the protests with Tamaki iwi on how it could improve its diversity and cultural sensitivity training.

'While we've had some training for some people I don't think there is enough we can do to try honour our history and culture in New Zealand.'

Pritchard would not share its internal targets, but said the focus had been on improving gender diversity.

'There is also a need for a wider diversity as well.

'They're internal targets at this stage but I can assure you we have them.'

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and the Human Rights Commission have been approached for comment.