Ihumātao: Six months since eviction notice, protesters still adamant about cause

Wednesday, 22 January 2020

In September, hundreds of people walked in a hikoi from Ihumātao to Mt Albert to deliver an invitation to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to visit the site.

The fight to prevent sacred land at Ihumātao being turned into a housing development remains strong, protesters say, as news emerged that a positive resolution for the disputed site was close.

Thursday marks the six month anniversary of an eviction notice served by Fletcher Building, telling protesters to leave the site in Mangere, south Auckland, and police moving in to help with enforcement.

The Māori King visits Ihumātao and is confident of a positive resolution before Waitangi Day.

Since then, police have left and on Tuesday, Fletcher pulled back its representatives at the site.

On Wednesday, news emerged that a positive resolution could be secured before Waitangi Day.

* Ihumātao: Fletcher Building denies backing down on disputed land

* Why Ihumātao has opened up rifts among [Māori

Protesters have occupied Ihumātao in protest of a planned development for more than three years.

](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/114596689/the-detail-why-ihumatao-has-opened-up-rifts-among-maori)* Ihumātao: Māori King says mana whenua want land back**

Ihumātao 'protector' Matira Madden-Hulena says the occupation has changed her as a person.

Pania Newton, spokeswoman for protest group Save Our Unique Landscape (SOUL), said the fight to protect Ihumātao had remained strong in the three years the group has occupied the land.

'Since we came here there has been no houses and no development here and the land is still protected - that is progress,' Newton said.

'There has been a unification of our nation, thousands have come to support our cause and that was one of the biggest highlights of our cause.'

The Māori King was at Ihumātao on Wednesday to retrieve the flag he delivered to the site as a symbol of protection over the whenua.

He said he was confident a resolution will be reached by February 6.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff echoed the same sentiment, saying discussions with the Crown and Kiingitanga, on behalf of mana whenua, had been positive.

A draft agreement, once reached with all parties, will be subject to final approval by all councillors next month, he said.

Protest leader Pania Newton says Ihumātao is considered wahi tapu or sacred because of its significance to local Māori.

Newton called the announcement a success for all New Zealanders.

'We don't think this is a success for ourselves … we hope to celebrate this success with all those that supported us and not supported us because in time they will realise, or their children will realise, what this means for our country's history.'

The land was confiscated by the Crown in the 1800s in breach of the Treaty of Waitangi during the 19th century Waikato Invasion - a campaign to stamp out the Māori King movement and clear lands for European settlement.

It was sold by the Wallace family to Fletcher Building in 2014.

The construction firm wanted to build 480 houses near the protected Ōtuataua Stonefields reserve at Ihumātao, but locals are against it and wanted the land returned to iwi.

Occupiers established a 'kaitiaki village' on Ihumātao Quarry Rd and have been living there full time in protest, claiming the land is a sacred Māori site and should be preserved for future generations.

Thousands visited the site days after Fletcher's eviction notice was served, in support of SOUL's cause to protect the land.

While the numbers have dwindled, and fluctuate everyday, Newton said at least 50 people still remain there.

'I've been here three years, I'm happy, I remain positive.'

She said she hoped more awareness was raised on the protection of cultured land for the future.

'We hope it encourages others to stand up against injustice … and to heal the heartache that lies across this whenua.'