Ihuma¯tao protest warning for Waitangi
Protests could rock Waitangi Day commemorations next month, 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,’’ Ardern said at the time.
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.
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,’’ Newton said.
She also dropped her longstanding request for the prime minister to visit Ihuma¯ tao. Occupiers asked Ardern to visit in July last year. Ardern said she would but had yet to do so.
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 buy the land back from Fletcher Building.
More than 1000 young athletes leapt, ran and threw with all their might at New Zealand’s largest junior athletics competition yesterday.
The South Island Colgate Games, held at Nga¯ Puna Wai Sports Hub, in Christchurch, challenged children aged 7 to 14 from more than 60 clubs to compete at the annual three-day track and field competition.
Each athlete could choose five individual events from a list that varies for different age groups.
The events include running, long jump, high jump, shot put, discus and hurdles.
Relays are additional and held at the end of each day.
Awards would be handed out to those who earned a spot on the podium in each division.
The competition, in its 42nd year, began yesterday morning with an opening ceremony and will run until tomorrow afternoon.
It follows the North Island section of the games, which were held at Taranaki’s Jubilee Park for three days from last Friday.