Community determined to Protect Ihumātao

12 September 2016

The first 'Whare' has been erected at the Ihumātao SHA and action group SOUL want to ensure it’s the only one.

Yesterday's (11 September 2016) community protest/family day saw more than 200 supporters join SOUL to install a massive Tohu Whenua / Land Marker at the centre of the contested land. Made of large concrete blocks, the installation forms the outer walls of a whare. A pohutukawa pou whenua was also erected and blessed. The pou symbolizes the ongoing presence of mana whenua on this land over the past 800 years.

Artists, including Amiria Puia-Taylor and the Painting for the People team, Cerisse Palalagi and Allen 'Onesian' Vili, painted images of the land and its guardians on the blocks.

This substantial artwork begins an education project on the site.

“The intention is to add progressively to the emerging structure. It will tell the story of the land and why SOUL is fighting to protect it from development,” says Pania Newton of SOUL.

“Sunday’s protest continues more than 150 years of struggle,” adds Waimarie McFarland, a founding member of SOUL. She read from a letter dated 1865 written by a local Maori woman distraught over the unjust confiscation of land.

SOUL's Brendan Corbett told the crowd Fletcher Building was a majority-owned overseas corporation. “To gain approval from the Overseas Investment Office and avoid extra protections against purchasing farm land, Fletchers claimed the Ihumātao site wasn’t farm land. The company received approval but its consent just expired on 3 September 2016,” he said.

“Powerful appeals to Government, Auckland Council and Fletcher have been ignored,” added Mangere MP Su’a William Sio, recalling SOUL action over the past 18 months. “Our community has no other choice but to heighten our peaceful protest.”

Legendary musician Tigilau Ness entertained the large community crowd along with other local artists. Local music producer Anonymouz (Matthew Salapu) also galvanized everyone to take part in a new Mangere-Otahuhu music album. The album’s songs feature Ihumātao and the SOUL movement.

This event launched the next stage of the community-led campaign to protect Ihumātao from development. SOUL is planning other community-led actions in coming months to heighten public awareness and protest against the development. Brendan Corbett named “Protecting Ihumātao” as a crucial issue in his campaign for the Auckland Council.
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