25 May 2018

Greens acknowledge inspiring legacy of Bastion Point occupation

Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson is today attending the 40th anniversary ceremony of the Takaparawhau/Bastion Point occupation to honour the legacy of Ngāti Whātua and their resistance to confiscation.

“The story of the Bastion Point occupation has always made me feel proud, angry, sad and mostly deeply appreciative of the leadership of Ngāti Whātua ki Ōrākei. Their story of triumph through injustice is still unfolding and evolving,” said Ms Davidson.

“As a resident of Tāmaki Makaurau I am very grateful to be living on their land and connecting with their people and their legacy.

“In taking their stand at Bastion Point, Ngāti Whātua and their allies were protesting the use of the Public Works Act to confiscate Māori land. Millions of acres of Māori land have been confiscated by the Public Works Act.

“Despite Ngāti Whātua’s generosity in giving away vast tracks of land for the establishment of the Auckland township, the Crown then tried to confiscate their settlement at Takaparawhau to make way for mansions and holiday homes.

“The ongoing legacy of the people who took that inspiring stand 40 years ago secured one of the last vestiges of Ngāti Whātua land, and helped put the Māori struggle for tino rangatiratanga on the national stage.

“Former Green MPs Catherine Delahunty and Kevin Hague were present and stood in solidarity with Ngāti Whātua all those years ago. In recent years, Catherine Delahunty had a Bill in Parliament to end confiscations under the Public Works Act, an issue I am continuing to push,” said Ms Davidson.

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