March 03, 2021
Socially distanced sit in at Erebus memorial site
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua chair Dame Naida Glavish says a socially-distanced sit in has started at Sir Dove Meyer Robinson Park in Parnell to prevent the construction of a memorial to those killed in the 1979 Erebus plane crash.
The Ministry for Culture and Heritage and Auckland Council say the project has the support of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, but she says there should have been consultation with the wider iwi before approving construction on Mataharehare Pā.
A phone call from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern failed to address her concerns.
She sees no link between Erebus and Mataharehare, and she wants to achieve an outcome that upholds the mana of the Crown, the treaty partner, all Tāmaki and the families affected by the disaster.
Dame Naida says those at the site are adhering to all COVID level 3 stipulations such as social distancing, masks, and QR codes.
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