January 21, 2020
Movement flagged on Ihumatao but progress uncertain
The Māori King’s flag is set to come down from Ihumātao today.
The move comes as Fletcher Building dismantles hired fences around the land it had earmarked for a housing development before it was occupied by the SOUL protest group, who say the whenua has too much heritage and cultural value to be built on.
While the lowering of the flag may be seen by the occupiers as a sign a resolution is near, talks are still continuing between the Government, the Kiingitanga, mana whenua and Auckland Council.
A proposal for the crown to buy the land from Fletcher in association with the council and transfer it to mana whenua failed to get through cabinet last year.
Fletcher Building says it is making minor changes to its traffic management plan at Ihumātao in response to reduced activity at the site, including opening the road to the maunga.
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