Ngāti Whātua Today…

Ngāti Whātua,  mana whenua of this area, have an important commemoration coming up this month,  to which everyone is welcome. 

 

 

 On Friday 25 May, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei will mark the 40th anniversary of  a defining moment in New Zealand history- the invasion in 1978 of Ngāti Whātua land at Bastion Point by government-ordered police and army troops. 

They arrested Ngāti Whātua occupants as well as the others protesting with them against the seizure of the land by the government to sell for expensive housing development. 

This year, the commemoration honours those who took part in the occupation, and provides an opportunity to reflect on the efforts of those who strove for Treaty settlement and a better future for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.

 

The stand at Bastion Point was a turning point even for many of us who were not involved in the occupation.  Seeing on television  Ngāti Whātua elders being dragged off Bastion Point by the police sickened and angered us, and made us determined to do more to fight racism and help pakeha to understand the injustices still being suffered by Maori.

 

Events planned for Friday 25 May include: 

6am                    Dawn Ceremony held at the Joannee Hawke Memorial, Bastion Point

10am                  Commemoration event at Orākei Marae, followed by hākari at 1pm

6pm                    40th Anniversary Concert at the Tuning Fork, Spark Arena including performers linked                                   to  the Bastion Point occupation. Further details to be announced.

 

Further  events during May, will give all Aucklanders a chance to engage with the rich history of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei in Tāmaki Makaurau:.

 

From 17 May     Not one more acre! Photographic Exhibition Auckland War Memorial Museum

 

During May       Ki Uta Photographic & Film Exhibition               Auckland Public Library

 

Wed 16-Sat 19,  Wed 23-Sat 26 May, 10am-3pm, & conversations 6pm Wed 23 & Wed 30 May

                                 Bastion Point 40 years Anniversary Photographic Exhibition

                                Whitecliffe College’s Pearce Gallery, 130 St George’s Bay Road, Parnell.