Veterans of the Bastion Point Occupation are returning to Takaparawhau this evening, as they prepare to mark 45 years since police shut down the land protest.
Sharon Hawke from Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei says the hapu still considers it a commemoration rather than an anniversary, but it’s also starting to focus on the positive outcomes of the action.
She says her cousins wanted to camp on the site overnight so they could experience something of what whanau went through during the 506-day occupation.
“I’ve been frank with them that it’s very cold, dress warm, and we’ve got a wonderful team from Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei Trust who are making it possible so we can get onto the land because it’s very muddy. Heoi anō, that’s not to prevent us from doing what we want to do on our whenua,” Ms Hawke says.
There will be dawn karakia at the site of the memorial to Joannee (Jo-ann-ee) Hawke, who died in a fire during the occupation, followed by a flag raising and roll call.
