Ihumātao protest: Police presence to be reduced, says Deputy Police Commissioner Wally Haumaha

Thursday, 8 August 2019

Police will work to reduce numbers at Ihumātao, while increasing Māori wardens to ensure safety

Police will be reducing their numbers at Ihumātao following the tensions of Monday night.

Deputy Police Commissioner Wally Haumaha visited the camp site on Thursday, taking a walk around the camp and meeting with protest leaders.

Haumaha said they plan to reduce the number of officers at the site, while increasing the number of Māori wardens to keep everyone safe.

Police Deputy Commissioner Wally Haumaha said the police presence at Ihumātao will be reduced.

'We want to maintain a presence here… It's just about ensuring everyone is sticking to the rules. And that is the trust and assurances I've been given by those in the village here.'

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Protester Stephanie Tawha, was working to improve their communication with police.

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Stephanie Tawha, who was negotiating with the police on behalf of the whānau, said she was still devastated after the events of Monday night.

Protesters are beginning to create structures to protect them from the wind.

No specific protocols had been put in place to stop tensions escalating like Monday night, but she said they were working on better communication to prevent a repeat.

She said they still wanted a police presence on site to keep everyone safe.

On Tuesday morning, police denied they pushed someone over in heated scenes on Monday night, after protest leader Pania Newton said she had been 'rammed' by police with a gate and had fallen to the ground.

The alleged incident happened after numbers of both police and protesters increased rapidly on Monday night at the site, the scene of a disputed housing development.

On Tuesday Superintendent Jill Rogers, Counties Manukau District Commander, said police increased their presence at the site after being told by protesters they intended to reoccupy the land.

'Despite repeated warnings from police, a large group of protesters attempted to bypass the police cordon,' Rogers said.

'Police attempted to stop those trespassing, but protesters pushed their way past our staff.

'The protesters eventually vacated the private land and no arrests were made.'

She said police had behaved with professionalism despite being subjected to verbal abuse, 'being physically shoved and even in some cases being spat on'.

On Thursday afternoon, a police spokesperson confirmed protests organisers had said there would be no attempt to re-occupy the area currently fenced off and subject to the eviction notice which was served on July 23.

'They have also agreed to remain peaceful while a resolution to this complex situation is discussed by the relevant parties,' the spokesperson said.

Specific numbers of police present at the site remained an 'operational decision' for police, and would be determined by the ongoing situation, the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile on Thursday, about 150 Māori nurses were welcomed onto Ihumātao to support for the protesters.

Protesters were beginning to build structures to protect themselves from the wind.