Christchurch protesters march in support of Ihumātao occupation

Tuesday, 6 August 2019

Protesters gather in Christchurch to support the Ihumātao occupation.

A Christchurch protester showing her support for 'whānau' occupying the Ihumātao site in South Auckland has sent a challenge to the prime minister.

'[I want] Jacinda to take up the invitation and visit … That would be pretty awesome,' Rae Lalahi said at a Christchurch rally on Tuesday.

SOUL (Save Our Unique Landscape) has been illegally occupying the land in Māngere for the past three years in protest at it being turned into a housing development by Fletcher Building. The group cites the land's proximity to the Ōtuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve and the eviction of Māori from the land in the 1800s.

Protesters at the Christchurch Ihumātao National Day of Action, on the corner of Linwood Ave and Buckleys Rd, Linwood, on Tuesday.

Lalahi, who has friends from Ihumātao, visited the site last week.

**READ MORE:

Rae Lalahi, centre, says she went to the protest to show those occupying Ihumātao that people in Christchurch are supporting them.

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

* Ihumātao eviction protest: An occupation 150 years in the making

About 30 protesters held signs, sang waiata, waved flags, and encouraged passing motorists to honk to show their support.

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

'The unity is really strong. There's a real sense of purpose. It's just a really beautiful place to be and I want everyone to experience that place.'

Organiser Zion Tauamiti says the group got together in Christchurch to show their support for the Ihumātao occupation.

Ihumātao was important 'for all of Aotearoa' and should be protected, she said.

Those occupying the Ihumātao site were met with by 100 police officers on Monday evening, with occupiers saying they counted 68 police cars.

Protesters and police stand face to face at Ihumātao.

It marked a significant increase from previous days, as occupiers faced their 14th night on the whenua. No arrests were made and no trespass notices had been issued as of 11pm on Monday, police earlier told Stuff.

On Tuesday morning, about 30 protesters held signs, sang waiata, waved flags, and encouraged passing motorists to honk to show their support at the corner of Linwood Ave and Buckleys Rd in Christchurch.

Protesters at Ihumātao in the early morning fog.

Organiser Zion Tauamiti said the group wanted to show their support and act as a voice for the protection of Māori whenua and indigenous rights.

Fletcher Building filmed the moment workers walked onto Ihumātao to serve eviction notices to protesters occupying the area.

He said the meeting was also an opportunity for people to give koha (donations) to support SOUL.

The situation in Ihumātao affected people across the country, he said.

'It's important for us to show that there is a voice for them down here in Christchurch … to show them that we care about the things they also care about.'

Les Claxton said it was great to see such a wide range of people and cultures supporting a 'worthy cause'.

'People should be able to stand up for what they believe in.'

Claxton said protection of the land was something particularly important to him.

'I've got kids and great grandkids and I want the land to be available for them.'

Several other protests were also held across the country to coincide with the national action day.

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 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.