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A member of Ngati Whatua Orakei Trust says the mainstream media need a reality check when reporting about the hapu's activities.
The trust came under fire last week after advertising that it was closing a stretch of Okahu Bay for a children's event, which attracted 500 whanau.
Sharon Hawke says Ngati Whatua got the beach back as part of its 1991 treaty settlement, after more than a century of trying to protect the remnants of its tribal estate.
"Now we've shared that beach with the rest of Auckland, the rest of the nation, for 175 years, so to begrudge us one day seemed a bit over the top. It's about giving our kids one day a year to celebrate being whanau," she says.
Sharon Hawke says there was no sign of the keyboard warriors, who seem happy to remain silent when other beaches are closed off for non-Maori sporting or charity events.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH SHARON HAWKE AND DAVE HARRIMAN CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjY1NjY=
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