July 24, 2019
Ihumātao protectors reject rāwaho tag
Mana whenua member of Save Our Unique Landscape is rejecting criticism the group does not reflect the will of the people of Ihumātao.
The group and its supporters have taken up a position at the police cordon behind which Fletcher Building contractors are clearing the land for a 480-home development.
Yesterday Te Kawerau a Maki, Te Akitai Waiohua and Tainui elders came on the land to support the serving of a trespass order on the occupiers.
Haki Wilson mana whenua and founding member of SOUL says he's upset Te Kawerau a Maki chair Te Warena Taua is saying the occupation was driven by outsiders.
"I am born and bred in Ihumātao. I still live here. My whakapapa is here. My pēpeha is here, and I am not a rāwaho. I heard the words come out of his mouth that we are rāwaho and we are not from here. We are from here. We are mana whenua. He should know that because he lived across the road from me," Mr Wilson says.
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