Standoff Ends Dramatically

Ihumatao protesters have accused officers of using aggressive tactics against women during a dramatic standoff with Police late on Monday. Escalating tensions and a stronger Police presence prompted uneasy scenes at the occupation - with protest leader Pania Newton saying she was rammed by Police with a gate on Monday night, causing her to fall over.

“I was really concerned that there were a number of minors at the front line, so I was coming through the gate and a Police officer ran over, rammed the gate I was coming through and I did fall to the ground,’’ she told MediaWorks.

“A number of male Police officers were quite physical with some of our female land protectors, and we’re very confused as to why that happened last night at our time of prayer.”

Ms Newton said they had been getting ready for late-night prayers when Police turned up.

“It’s just been shocking in the way that we’ve been treated down here.

“Without any notice, Police cars have pulled up... and we’ve been told that if we don’t move off the frontline, we could face being trespassed or even worse, arrested,” she said.

“But we are still peaceful and positive down here, whanau.

“We don’t plan on being arrested. That’s not our kaupapa. Our kaupapa is about being peaceful and to protect our whenua.”

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed she has no “immediate” plan to visit the protest site. “I have no immediate plan to. I haven’t ruled it out in the future but not right now.”

An update on the Save Our Unique Landscape (Soul) campaign website early yesterday reiterated claims that women at Ihumatao were manhandled by male Police officers. “During their operation, a number of male officers were also physical with some of our female kaitiaki [guardians]. No one was seriously hurt. However, the actions were completely unnecessary.

“We have continued and maintained a peaceful, passive and positive resistance as land protectors and we are proud of everyone who came out tonight and the way they stayed true to our kaupapa of rangimarie [peace].”

Protesters yesterday gathered outside Fletcher Building, the developer of the Ihumatao site.

The self-proclaimed protectors of the land had held a picket outside Fletcher Building in Penrose, Auckland from 7.30am.

By 7am there was a strong security presence at the Penrose site. More than 80 protesters were at the site, with some spilling on to the other side of the road.

Soul member Brendan Corbett used a megaphone to address protesters, but directed some of his message directly at Fletcher’s executive Steve Evans.

He hoped Mr Evans could hear him. He expected he was sitting around the boardroom table having a debrief with other board members - it would likely be an uncomfortable meeting, he said.

Fresh protest action Police drama

Mr Corbett said on Monday night there was a “crazy situation of 30 Police cars driving at breakneck speed through Mangere Bridge” to interrupt people eating dinner and at prayer. It was a ridiculous situation as there was no emergency, he said.

Yesterday’s protests were being dubbed as “a national day of action”. He said people smiled and laughed and there were no aggression.