Christchurch protesters to march in support of Ihumātao occupation

Thursday, 25 July 2019

About 60 people marched in central Christchurch support the protesters at Ihumātao in south Auckland.

Christchurch protesters have rallied in solidarity with those occupying the Ihumātao site in South Auckland.

Six people have been arrested at the long-disputed site in South Auckland after police served the protest group occupying the land with an eviction notice on Tuesday.

SOUL (Save Our Unique Landscape) has been illegally occupying the land in Māngere for the past three years in protest at the land being turned into a housing development by Fletcher Building. The group cites the land's proximity to the Otuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve and the eviction of Māori from the land in the 1800s.

Christchurch protesters delivered a letter to MP Duncan Webb's office, but he did not appear to be there.

**READ MORE:

* History and housing clash at Ihumātao

People Against Prisons Aotearoa (PAPA) spokeswoman Phoebe Moran says the protest in Christchurch is a stand in solidarity.

* Ihumātao eviction: Dogs pepper sprayed, people arrested

* Ihumātao eviction: Planned Auckland development reignites anger of the land wars**

Protesters and police stand face to face at Ihumātao.

About 60 people gathered at the Bridge of Remembrance in central Christchurch at noon and led a march, complete with banners and waiata, to Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb's office on Durham St North. The protesters delivered a letter to Webb's office, but the MP did not appear to be there.

People Against Prisons Aotearoa (PAPA) spokeswoman Phoebe Moran said the protest in Christchurch was in support of the people occupying Ihumātao.

Protesters at Ihumātao in the early morning fog.

'There has been a call out across Aotearoa to stand up in solidarity,' she said.

Fletcher Building filmed the moment workers walked onto Ihumātao to serve eviction notices to protesters occupying the area.

'It is such a unique historic site and it is so important culturally. It deserves to be protected.'

Protester Laken Wairau said the evictions in Auckland were 'frustrating'.

'We are here to support the Ihumātao movement,' she said.

'This is happening not just nationally, but internationally.'

'It saddens me. To have people who have been living there for generations to be evicted in that way is very sad.'

Protester Erana Riddell said supported the principal behind the Ihumātao protest.

'They are up there tirelessly protesting for their rights to be recognised,' she said.

'Our people are tired.'

Christchurch protester George Fenn has organised another rally outside Fletcher Building's Christchurch offices on Friday.

'This is straight up evil,' he said.

'I think insisting on an eviction is ridiculous. They are just asking for the situation to escalate.'

Green co-leader Marama Davidson and Green MP Chloe Swarbrick support the 'peaceful occupation' of Ihumātao. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it would be inappropriate for the Government to intervene as the local iwi, Te Kawerau a Maki, is supportive of the development.