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First house built on SHA62, and it’s ours

September 23, 2016 Leave a comment

SOUL gains a foothold on the whenua

Tēnā koutou katoa…

Welcome to the September issue of the SOUL newsletter. There is a lot going on as we’re sure you are aware with major developments in the campaign, from the placing of the Tohu Whenua on the land in the form of a whare, to big publicity from this week’s Sunday programme on TV1.

Today, we cover these events as well as giving you a primer on the land confiscation at Ihumātao, news of an informative hikoi in October, and an endorsement of SOUL’s Brendan Corbett in his run for Council.

Sunday Programme: a rock and a hard place

The lead story on this week’s Sunday programme was our fight to protect the land at Ihumātao. If you were not among the 500,000 viewers who caught the show on TV, you can watch it now online: http://tvnz.co.nz/sunday-news/rock-and-hard-place-video-6493401

Tohu Whenua placed on the land

On Sunday 11th September 2016, our 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 in progress.

A pohutukawa pou whenua was also erected and blessed. The pou symbolises the ongoing presence of mana whenua on this land over the past 800 years.

Artists, including Amiria Puia-Taylor, Aroha Gossage, Onesian Allen, Cee Fiahau, Clyde Te Wahi, Neville Rakena, Joan Corbett, Bonnie Te Wake, Tam and Whiro and the Painting for the People team, created 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.

Read more on the day’s activities here:

SOUL’s primer on the confiscation of Ihumātao lands

Central to the battle to protect Ihumātao is the fact that it is confiscated land. The confiscation was arguably the first move of the Waikato wars.

On 9 July 1863 George Grey issued the following Proclamation that was printed in many newspapers from 13th July onwards.

On the 14th of July Grey ordered his troops across the Mangatawhiri Stream thereby invading the territory of the Maori King Movement.

By 31st July 1863 the land at Ihumātao was being offered to Pakeha settlers to run their cattle.

Letters to the Editor of The New Zealander in February signal that by February 1864 the land had been leased to Henry Vercoe (brother-in-law of Thomas Russell the Minister of Defence) on very favourable terms.

By the 28th of May 1866 the land had been surveyed and lots 175 and 176 (now SHA 62) are marked "Gavin S. Wallace".

On 28th December 1867 Lots 175 and 176 (81 acres) were transferred to Wallace by Crown Grant.

149 years later, the land is still owned by Wallace’s descendants (through a family company), which is now aiming to sell the land to Fletcher for development.

History-Culture-Geology Tour!

The walk will go from Maungataketake fossil forest via the foreshore to Ōtuataua and around to Oruarangi Stream.

It is a 3.5km cross country hikoi requiring good fitness.

There will be a shuttle back to the start point from Oruarangi Awa.

Guidance and explanation will be provided by:

Ian Lawlor – Archeologist, Historian

Bruce Hayward – Geologist

Peter Hayward – Geologist, Speleologist, Environmental Scientist

Enquires:
mangeremountain
flathead23

For regular updates like and follow our facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1848850975345332/

Corbett for council!

SOUL’s own Brendan Corbett is standing in the upcoming local body elections.

For a strong community voice and a candidate dedicated to protecting Ihumātao, vote for Brendan Corbett for Auckland Council in the Manukau Ward.

Can you take a moment to help us grow our campaign?

Before you close out of this email, please take a moment to forward it to friends who are interested. Invite them to attend our upcoming events and to subscribe to this fortnightly newsletter.

New subscribers can follow this link to sign up: http://bit.ly/1UM2vUK

Thanks for keeping yourself updated.

You are always welcome to contribute your time and energy to the SOUL campaign to protect Ihumātao. We run on people power and we need you!

Our open meetings are held in Māngere Bridge. The next meeting date is Wednesday 5 October 6:00 to 7:30 pm; willing workers are always welcome. Please reply by email if you need other meeting details.

Kia kaha! – SOUL