November 28, 2019
Fletcher talk rings wrong for Ihumaatao occupier
A leader of the Ihumaatao occupation is taking issue with a claim by the head of Fletcher Building that the company had behaved ethically, sensitively and legally in its attempts to develop the contested land.
Pania Newton attended the Fletcher annual meeting yesterday where the claim was made to shareholders.
She says she informed the company in 2015 of the history of the land and that the marae and tangata whenua would fight the development.
“They ignored that, proceeded with the purchase of the land, and now in 2019 the issue is ongoing. Ihumaatao has become a watershed moment in our history and it’s a national and international symbol to recognise indigenous rights and tangata whenua rights,” Ms Newton says.
She was surprised by the assurance at the meeting there could be a resolution by the end of the year, given neither Save Our Unique Landscapes group nor other tangata whenua are involved in current negotiations.
Copyright © 2019, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com