Karakia and chowder as Ihumaatao marks occupation anniversary

There was a celebratory mood at Ihumaatao this morning as Save Our Unique Landscape marked the one year anniversary from seeing off an eviction order.

About 150 people gathered on the whenua for karakia, speeches from SOUL founders Pania Newton and Qiane Matata-Sipu, and seafood chowder.

The closest thing to a police dog was Manawa, a four month old Alsatian puppy, and there was still no word from Government on how it intends to resolve the stand-off that has stopped Fletcher Residential building homes on the whenua.

Ms Newton says she feels a sense of pride and gratitude for what has happened over the year.

"Where the police cordoned areas were and the police front lines were have been replaced by beautiful garden boxes that are growing kai and native trees and signs honouring the iwi and hapū of this whenua so that is symbolic in itself," she says.

Pania Newton says the occupiers are better prepared for the rigours of winter than they were last year.

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