Ihumātao protest: Free buses for Māori king's visit

Friday, 2 August 2019

How Ihumātao went from a precious garden to a battleground.

Free buses will travel to Ihumātao this Saturday to coincide with the Māori king's visit to the long-disputed site.

Kiingi Tūheitia plans to be at the site in south Auckland in the morning, aiming to 'seek a pathway for resolution'.

A protest at the land, near Auckland International Airport, has been underway since last Tuesday after Fletcher Building issued eviction notices to a group carrying out an illegal occupation.

Kiingi Tūheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero Vll will join protesters at Ihumātao and hopes to help resolve the issue.

Since then, a number of protesters have been arrested and high-profile artists, including Stan Walker, have performed.

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

* Seven more arrested at contested Ihumātao

Fletcher wants to build a 480-home development, but protesters say the land, which was confiscated by the Crown in the 1860s, is wāhi tapu or sacred to Māori.

Māngere East Community Centre kaumatua Roger Fowler organised the three free buses and will also drive one on the day.

He said he expected Saturday to be a big day.

'This campaign is attracting a lot of favourable attention, people can see the injustice quite plainly with regards to what's going on.

'We want to see this resolved for the people of New Zealand. Ihumātao is a historically important site that should not be destroyed.'

Buses will leave at 10am from the Onehunga Bus Interchange, Manurewa Marae and Māngere East Community Centre and make several stops throughout south Auckland.

All return trips will leave at 3pm.