Auckland - Thirty years ago, protesters faced off with 700 police, army, navy and the government over plans to develop Ngati Whatua ancestral land at Bastion Point. This month on May 25, 2008 the protagonists will again meet to mark the 30th anniversary of that day in 1978 when 222 people were arrested in a massive show of force that has been called a defining moment in New Zealand history.
Leader of the 1977 protest, Joe Hawke, has never regretted the decision to occupy the land to stop the government from building high-rise housing at Bastion Point.
“I went onto the Point, not to invite an arrest, but to arrest a wrong, and 30 years on, all of Ngati Whatua are benefiting from that stand”, he said.
He will be part of the events being planned for May 25 to commemorate that struggle, foster reconciliation and re-affirm Ngati Whatua’s footprint on the land in Auckland, including a Remembrance and Reconciliation Ceremony being hosted at Orakei Marae, led by former Governor-General Sir Paul Reeves.
Bastion Point events organizer Alec Hawke says the ceremony at the Marae will be open to all interested parties and especially those that played a part in the Bastion Point story.
“We hope to bring together those that were arrested, representatives of the Police, the Army and Government members of all parties, as well as many prominent Maori, Pakeha, and Pacific Islanders who played a role in supporting the Bastion Point occupation. For Ngati Whatua o Orakei it will be a re-dedication of our ties to the land in Tamaki-Makarau, a positive message of our successes and our place in Auckland today”, he said.
Leading up to that day there will be series of events around the city to mark the anniversary. The Auckland City Library is hosting a two week display of archive materials such as posters, photographs and other material related to the Bastion Point occupation. Several prominent photographers who documented the occupation and eviction from Bastion Point are contributing their works from their private collections. There will also be a series of podcast lectures through MANU AO network of Maori academics, hosted by the University of Auckland, beginning with a panel discussion on Thursday, May 22. On May 23, there will be an Indigenous roundtable discussion at the Marae to discuss and compare experiences on Indigenous participation in protected land management in Australia and New Zealand. Maori Television is playing a 2-hour tribute on May 25th from 9pm -11pm.
For more information contact
Alec Hawke
09 528 6747
bastionpoint@gmail.com
Backgrounder to Bastion Point Events
May 19 to May 30
Bastion Point: The Exhibition - 30 Years On
Heritage Floor - Level 2, Auckland Central Library
A tribute to those that demonstrated their concerns with passion for the acknowledgement of rights and entitlements to Takaparawhau (Bastion Point).
The theme of the exhibition will be highlighted with ephemera, documents, photographs, literature and newspaper publications. Many display pieces will be from private collections kindly provided by individuals present at the eviction and re-occupation.
Remembrance and Reconciliation Ceremony
10am Sunday 25 May 2008
Orakei Marae
A ceremony at Orakei Marae to bring together those that were arrested, representatives of the Police, the Army and Government members of all parties, as well as many prominent Pakeha, Maori and Pacific Islanders who played a role in the Bastion Point. Public is also welcome.
10am - Powhiri
11am - Remembrance & Reconciliation Ceremony
12am – Whenua walk to Memorial
1.30pm – Hakari
University Lecture Series
University of Auckland
A public forum at Waipapa Marae, University of Auckland, on Wednesday, 22 May 2008 followed by a podcast lecture through MANU AO network of Maori academics on June 18th featuring David Williams, university lecturer and former Bastion Point protester.
Indigenous Round Table Discussion
Friday 23 May 2008
Orakei Marae
Hosted by Ngarimu Blair, Heritage Environment Manager, Ngati Whatua o Orakei, bringing together indigenous people from other countries, this event will focus on parks and land management, and will include a presentation on the Bastion Point land occupation.
Maori Television
Maori Television is playing a 2-hour tribute on 25 May 2008 from 9pm-11pm.