Skepticism over Government's olive branch at Auckland's Ihumātao protest site

Sunday, 28 July 2019

Save Our Unique Landscape (Soul) action group leader, Pania Newton, seen here revving up protesters, says Soul should be at the table.

Ihumātao protesters are skeptical over Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's assurance that construction will stop until their voice is heard.

Ardern made the announcement on Friday, saying the Government would step in to help broker talks over the disputed land in Auckland's Mangere, working with mana whenua and Fletcher Building.

Ihumātao protesters woke to a peaceful day on Sunday, July 28.

Protest leader Pania Newton from Save Our Unique Landscape (Soul) said it was disappointing to hear Ardern had organised a hui without the Soul activists.

On Sunday, the marae was still debating if members would meet with Tāmaki Makaurau MP Peeni Henare and Employment Minister Willie Jackson, who arrived on site on Saturday to extend a branch of peace.

* Construction has halted at Ihumātao, but the protesters won't stop anytime soon

A few thousand people gathered at the Ihumatao protest in Mangere on Saturday afternoon.

* The real reason Fletchers is building at Ihumātao

* What Ihumātao reveals about NZ's protection of Māori heritage sites**

'We will debate on whether we will meet with them or not,' Newton said.

Soul was calling on the Government to intervene to prevent confrontation but Newton said did not know if she should trust Ardern's statement that construction had been paused.

'We don't know that for sure [if construction will stop], that's just what they've said. We haven't been consulted with,' she said.

'We need to sit at the table.'

Despite the uncertainty over how debate over the land might take place, Newton said the atmosphere at Ihumātao on Sunday was peaceful.

'It's beautiful - it's really positive,' she said. 'there's lots of kaumatua and kuia and children. Rangitahi are walking around picking up rubbish and cleaning the bathrooms, and keeping everyone entertained.'

Sunday was planned as a day of learning and prayer, with representatives of various faiths coming onto the site for karakia (prayers).

There was an invite on social media to share karakia on the whenua throughout the day.

'This is a day to spiritually connect with the land. Diversity will be respected,' the Facebook post said.

A police spokesman said there had been no arrests overnight and protests remained peaceful.

The police presence on Sunday was the same as it had been during the week.

'A large crowd of peaceful protesters remains at the site and there has been no significant change in the police presence at Ihumātao,' the spokesman said.

Newton said spirits were high after an inspirational concert on Saturday featuring Stan Walker, Ladi6 and Teeks.

'It's amazing, just the fact that they came for no money, off their own backs,' she said.

Nearly 500 people stayed the night at the site, sleeping in tents or cars, and many more were expected to arrive throughout the day.

A petition to protect Ihumātao had been signed by 43,700 people.

So many different people were getting involved in the protest because they understood its importance, Newton said.

'They understand the significance fo this land they understand that when there's a wrong it should be put right.

'This is about justice, it's about environmental protection, about indigenous rights,' she said.

'To me [the numbers supporting] only gives reassurances that this land should be protected because of the significance to our nation.'