Sacred Site of Ihumātao Bought by New Zealand Government for $ 30 Million | New Zealand

The lands claimed by the Maori and once programmed for large-scale private housing development have been brought in by the crown, ending a decades-long land dispute.

Ihumātao, the holy site in South Auckland, was confiscated by the crown in 1863 and sold to the private developer Fletcher Building in 2016, who planned to build houses on the land.

Protesters have been occupying the site on and off since 2015, demanding that the crown intervene and return the whenua (land) to the Maori.

Now, in what may turn out to be a landmark decision, Jacinda Ardern’s Labor-led government has agreed to pay Fletcher Building NZ $ 30 million for the land, saying it is now slated for a crown-led housing project.

Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson said the decision was made after “months” of delicate negotiations, with the Maori king and the Maori caucus parliamentarians playing a pivotal role.

“This is a process that is unique and innovative and allows for consensus decision-making,” Robertson said, adding that he did not want Ihumātuo to become the Bastion Point of his generation, a protracted Maori land dispute in the decade 1970 symbolizes all indigenous land disputes.

“It’s important to see this for what it is, it’s a unique deal outside of the treaty settlement process … we’ve done the right thing in this situation,” Robertson said.

The Kiingitanga (Maori king), the crown and the Auckland council have also signed a memorandum of understanding that sets out how the parties will work together to decide the future of the land.

Housing Minister Megan Woods said development of the site would be “delicate” and could include papakainga (Maori), mana whenua (traditional homeowners) housing and some public housing.

“It will be a sensitive development that recognizes the special characteristics of the land,” Woods said.

But the national party’s finance spokesman said the deal could set a dangerous precedent for “paying the protesters.”

“Taxpayers are not a bank to turn to to clean up bad government decisions, particularly when it infringes on private property rights,” said Michael Woodhouse.

Kiingi Tuuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, the Maori king, has “given his royal blessing to the resolution,” said spokesman Rahui Papa.

“After more than 160 years of alienation from Ihumātao, the descendants of the original owners will reconnect with their whenua (land).”

In August 2019, Maori activists seized Ihumātao and staged a massive occupation, with thousands of New Zealanders traveling from across the country to participate in the peaceful sit-in. The objective of the occupation was to reclaim the land for Maori and all New Zealanders as a public space.

The group Save Our Unique Landscape (SOUL), the activist group that led and organized the occupation of Ihumātao, said the decision affirms international commitments to indigenous rights and the place of Tangata Whenua de Aotearoa.

Soul leader Pania Newton told The Guardian in 2019 that the occupation was “essential” for Maori.

“The Maori nation is in crisis. It is a state of emergency for the Maori nation, ”said Newton, who traces his ancestral ties to Ihumātao to the first Polynesian settlers of New Zealand.

“They don’t take us seriously within these colonial and capitalist structures. And patriarchy also comes into play. “

The key leaders of SOUL and the Ihumātao occupation were women under the age of 40.

Newton said this was not a coincidence, as Maori women have a distinguished history of leading fights against the crown and patriarchal rule.

“Women have a great connection to the land. We are the givers, we are the caregivers, we are the mothers, we are the caregivers. So it makes sense for women to lead this campaign. And women also have a long history of overcoming injustice and fighting. Women are fierce, women are strong, women are resilient, ”Newton said.

Ardern rejected repeated calls to visit the disputed site, with some criticizing her for her hands-off approach to the dispute, leaving the negotiations to her high-level Maori ministers.

However, Ardern asked Fletchers to stop construction at the site in 2019, and the atmosphere in Ihumātao remained peaceful during the months of occupation.