#BREAKING

STEALTH BY STATE BREACHES RĀHUI TO RINGFENCE BEFORE OMBUDSMAN’S REPORT OUT

On the eve of the imminent release of the Ombudsman Office’s report into the integrity of the consent process determining the location of the National Erebus Memorial, the unconscionable has happened.
 
It appears that at 3am this morning the Ministry for Culture and Heritage authorised for contractors to install fencing at Mataharehare Pā site (Dove-Myer Robinson Park). By 6am the government agency defiantly notified newsroomsacross the country of its “early access”.
 
The premeditated and orchestrated action committed under the cover of darkness during a Pandemic, breaches a Rāhui laid down specifically to protect the whenua and Te Hā, an ancient 180 year old Pōhutukawa at the ancient Māori Pā site.
 
The sequencing of this move has not only ignored cultural protocols of the Treaty partner, it runs rough shot over the independent, impartial process of the Ombudsman that is currently on foot investigating alleged serious wrongdoings of the authorities.
 
Our Prime Minister Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern as the Minister for Memorials is ultimately responsible for the location of the National Erebus Memorial. Many are now questioning her visibility over the plan to access the site while protectors slept, at a time when the government’s own watchdog is investigating.
 
Mataharehare protectors are gobsmacked at the move given 20,000 to date have signed a petition (digital and paper copies) opposing the location, calling for a rethink and a relocation.
 
Kahurangi Dame Naida Glavish DNZM, a supporter of the community protecting the site advises that from a Te Tiriti perspective this is a grave breach by the government. 
 
“I am disgusted in the Ministry, its Chief Executive and the Prime Minister. Is this the type of protection of our heritage that they offer? The consequences of this action are deep. It is a breach of tapu, a breach of Rāhui, a breach of Tangata Whenua. Consequences that the Ministry for Culture and Heritage has absolutely no concern about,” she says.
 
Dame Naida is calling on everyone – Māori and non- Māori alike to unite in the spirit of protecting the park and sign the petition.
 
She urges Phil Goff, the Mayor of Auckland to immediately intervene given the underhandedness leading to the cultural breach. Mataharehare Pā site (Dove-Myer Robinson Park) is a historic, inner-city green sanctuary named after another mayor of Auckland, Sir Dove Myer Robinson. 
 
Robbie’s daughter, Heather Levack, says that her father’s memory and mana are being violated by the current Mayor and by Auckland Councillors who are standing by allowing this to happen when the consent process has been called into question.
 
What you can do
 
1          Share this petition now!
2          Join the peaceful protection at Dove Myer Robinson Park, Gladstone Road, Parnell
3          Visit Facebook and Instagram daily to like and share the posts
4          Donate at  https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/mataharehare
5          Questions?  Email contact@SOSNZ.org.nz
 
NEW VIDEOS on Facebook
 
Hear from the Peaceful Protectors:
 
MATAHAREHARE – Te Hā the Walking Pōhutukawa    
https://fb.watch/9TvW7GnlCu/
 
PROTECT MATAHAREHARE – Peaceful Protector, Shelly Mills         
https://www.facebook.com/ProtectMataharehare/videos/213929644122399