Ihuma¯tao protest for Waitangi?

Protests could rock Waitangi Day commemorations in February, with Pania Newton saying she plans to join a hikoi to the Treaty grounds if the Government fails to find an adequate solution to the stand-off at Ihuma¯ tao.

Newton is one of the main occupiers at Ihuma¯tao, and a founder of SOUL (Save Our Unique Landscape), which leads the occupation there.

Protesters began a campaign to protect Ihuma¯tao in 2016 after Fletcher Building bought the land for a housing development.

The development is close to the O¯ tuataua stone fields, and is considered the oldest settlement in Auckland.

Newton said the Government’s approach to Ihuma¯ tao would determine SOUL and mana whenua’s approach to commemorations at Waitangi.

‘‘Reaching a resolution before then [Waitangi Day] determines our kaupapa going up to Waitangi, whether in protest or celebration,’’ she said.

If, as expected, a resolution is not reached by that time, Newton plans to take a hikoi from Paihia, just south of Waitangi, to the Whare Runanga, a meeting house on the Treaty grounds.

A spokesperson for the prime minister said ‘‘the Government continues to work with all parties to reach a resolution as soon as is possible’’.

Newton was at Waitangi in 2018 for Jacinda Ardern’s first speech there as prime minister when she asked Ma¯ ori to help ensure her Government was accountable.

‘‘Hold us to account,’’ Ardern said. ‘‘Because one day I want to be able to tell my child that I earned the right to stand here. And only you can tell me when I have done that.’’

Looking back now, Newton said the Government did not appear to be delivering for Ma¯ ori.

‘‘I remember when Jacinda Ardern had her inaugural speech at Waitangi, and her promise to the Ma¯ ori nation to hold her and her Government to account on Ma¯ ori and Ma¯ ori issues.’’

She said slow progress since then had made her question whether Ma¯ ori issues were a priority for the Government.

‘‘The response to the issue at Ihuma¯ tao shows the unwillingness to resolve these Ma¯ori issues,’’ Newton said, although she was always hopeful for a resolution.

‘‘I still question her motives and priorities and I don’t think Ma¯ori issues are a priority for the prime minister.

You look at all the Ma¯ ori issues we have faced over the last year – the majority, if not all of them, have not been resolved.’’

Newton said she would not be looking to meet with Ardern while the pair are at Waitangi.

‘‘I think they know what they need to do, I don’t need to meet with her, they have shown their unwillingness anyway to meet with us.’’

She also dropped her long-standing request for the prime minister to visit Ihuma¯ tao. Occupiers had asked Ardern to visit in July last year.

Ardern said she would but had yet to do so.

‘‘I have moved past that now,’’ Newton said. ‘‘I have accepted the Government’s unwillingness and ignorance.’’

The dispute began under the previous Government and has continued.

Last year, Ardern brokered a deal whereby no development would commence at the site until a settlement was reached.

In September, Tu¯heitia Po¯tatau, the Ma¯ ori King, said the unified position of Ma¯ ori was for the land to be returned to mana whenua.

Reports emerged last November that the Government was considering a loan to Auckland Council to enable it to purchase the land back from Fletcher Building.

‘‘I don’t think Ma¯ori issues are a priority for the prime minister.’’ Pania Newton Ihuma¯tao leader