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This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
Protesters are occupying the Mataharehare pa site in the Auckland suburb of Parnell, despite the city being under Covid-19 Alert Level 3 restrictions.
The occupants pitched tents and posted signs to show their opposition to the proposed Erebus crash memorial at Sir Dove-Myer Robinson Park.
They are led by Maori community leader Dame Rangimarie Naida Glavish, who says the site is culturally significant and has nothing to do with the Erebus disaster.
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However, mana whenua Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei has expressed his full support for the monument and detailed his extensive involvement in the process.
Naida arrived at the occupied place shortly after 2 p.m. on Wednesday. She said Control He had recently sat quietly under the gigantic sprawling pōhutukawa tree, which is near the monument’s construction.
“I felt like I was sitting in the arms of my ancestors from more than 180 years ago who walked through this whenua. This is Mataharehare, it is a pā “.
Naida is from iwi Ngāti Whātua. One hapū of that iwi – Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei – is mana whenua of the area. He had been in consultation with the Ministry of Culture and Heritage on the development of the monument since October 2018 and supported the construction.
Documents from the Ministry of Culture and Heritage show a broad commitment to Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, as well as an archaeological report in 2019 that was sent to various iwi groups.
Vinay Ranchhod / RNZ
Construction of the Erebus monument is scheduled to begin in Auckland next week.
In August 2019, documents show that there was also an explanation of the monument design and site selection process, with acknowledgment from Mataharehare and Taurarua pā, sent to 13 iwi groups with an interest in the rohe [region].
But Naida said that the approval of the hapū did not make sense in practice and that he was not consulted on some aspects of the project.
“To begin with, there is no Maori cultural component to the arborist’s report. In addition to that, I really believe, with the information that has reached me, that it was predetermined before any form of querying had occurred. So they didn’t have to do a lot of inquiries. Did the broader Tāmaki Makaurau intervene in this? Did you put a broader iwi on this? “
Naida and the protesters issued a statement Wednesday saying that Prime Minister, also Minister of Culture and Heritage, Jacinda Ardern, was ultimately responsible for allowing the monument to take place.
“She directed it, she knows it. And I also don’t know if she was adequately informed, ”Naida said.
“I have the utmost respect for our Prime Minister, for the tremendous job she does. However, I cannot let that respect get in the way of protecting this whenua, Mateharehare pā, and this rākau pōhutukawa.
“Why would we give this whenua for that monument when it had nothing to do with the Erebus accident?”
“ We remain fully in support of this long-awaited and worthy monument ”
But on Wednesday evening, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei issued a statement, saying: “Since 2018, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei has been engaged in relation to the progress of the Erebus Memorial project.
“In November 2018, we wrote to Manatū Taonga, the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, to express our support for the project and also for the use of the proposed site, which is located in the heart of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei rohe.
“We have reviewed archaeological assessments and arboricultural expert reports. The tūpuna pōhutukawa will not be destroyed or affected; it will be preserved and protected.
“We made sure that the location of the monument was not environmentally damaging or culturally inappropriate. As mana whenua, we will ensure that the works are completed sensitively and are culturally sound.
“Unfortunately, there have been some recent public claims that there will be a greater impact on the site and the pōhutukawa tree than was shared with us through the consultation process.
“As a result, we requested clarification from Manatū Taonga regarding these claims. This has been provided. We have also asked those making the claims to provide their evidence. This has not been provided.
“As a result, we continue to fully support this long-awaited and worthy monument. What is sadly lost in all of this are the families of those who were tragically lost in the Erebus disaster.
“It has become clear to us that there is a small campaign that is being carried out to stop the memorial. We have tried to avoid participating in activities that are part of what appears to be a public relations campaign to stop the project. This statement is to clarify our position, to show our continued support, and it will be our final public statement on opposition to this kaupapa. “
Philip Keenan’s sister, Dianne, was a stewardess on the Air New Zealand flight that crashed on Mt Erebus. He said Dove-Myer Robinson Park is the right location for the memorial.
“I am absolutely over the moon that I go there. He couldn’t think of a more appropriate place for it to be, on so many levels.
“I heard comments when some people objected, but you already have a memorial there, to the Korean War. Nobody finds it offensive.
“I don’t know the size of the structure they are going to place there, I don’t know the details of that, but it’s a secluded place, you have to be in the park to observe that. And with the history of aviation in this country, with Mechanics Bay just below, I couldn’t think of a more appropriate place. “
Other relatives of victims of the Erebus accident have said Control they are haunted by this latest turn of events.
In a statement, Manatū Taonga, the Ministry of Culture and Heritage said that it had carried out painstaking and detailed planning processes in the development of the Erebus National Monument, which has included extensive consultations with iwi and other groups.
“We appreciate Dame Naida’s concern for the environmental and heritage values of the site and have offered to provide her with information about the project to alleviate those concerns.
“The Ministry respects the right of people to have different opinions and peaceful protests. As always, the families of those who lost loved ones in the Erebus disaster remain at the center of this project. “
This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
