May 02, 2019
Fletcher gives notice of Ihumātao road closure
Occupiers trying to stop land at Ihumātao being developed are seeing echoes of history as they wait for the bulldozers to arrive.
Pania Newton from Save Our Unique Landscape says they have received notice from Fletcher Building the road through the block leading to the historic Ōtuataua Stonefields reserve will be closed from Monday so it can be widened and strengthened to take construction traffic for the 480-home development.
They have also received letters telling them to end their occupation of buildings on the site.
"Similar to the notice that was sent to our people in 1863 where they issued a proclamation stating the people of Ihumātao should eject themselves from their whenua and retreat beyond Mangatāwhiri but like some of our tūpuna who remained, we too will remain here as ahi kā, as kaitiaki for this whenua to see that it is protected and preserved," Ms Newton says.
SOUL will be holding non-violent protest workshops to prepare supporters for likely action.
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