Kia ora koutou e te whānau,
 
RĀHUI BREACH & IGNORING THE PEOPLE
 
Our peaceful protection of Mataharehare continues.  More are connecting in with this kaupapa hoping for an outcome that is for the betterment of us all as we count down to the release of the Ombudsman’s Report on the consent process.
 
We invite you to come down, say kia ora!   Learn more, and join us for a shift on site as kaitiaki of our beautiful whenua and ngahere (2 hourly).  Nau mai haere mai!
 
We stand by the gates to the park 24/7 to prevent the Ministry for Culture and Heritage making further breaches of the Rāhui (protection) that was laid by Kaumātua and supported by 20,000 people. 
 
Let’s hope that the Prime Minister, the person ultimately responsible for National Memorials elects to relocate the structure.  Expert opinion from Boffa Miskell contained in an independent report advised that this was not a suitable place for the National Erebus Memorial.  The government has ignored the diverse collective of people against this location.
 
Yesterday, under cover of darkness, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage again violated the Rāhui, and concreted into the whenua an industrial-scale high tech surveillance mast. Daily we are safeguarding our park from the risk of more high-wire fences being erected. 
 
MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND HERITAGE REMAINS OUT OF ITS INTEGRITY
 
The irony is lost on us.
 
Here we have the Ministry of Culture and Heritage planning to bulldoze, recontour and build using 132 tonnes of concrete and steel into the remnants of a fragile headland.
 
Part of the process would include a heavy-duty haul road, turning circle with trenching around Te Hā, the second greatest Pōhutukawa in Aotearoa, that is as old as Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
 
This amounts to desecration of New Zealand’s culture and heritage by the entity that has been established to protect it.  It’s time the Prime Minister and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage had a review and a rethink about site location and the integrity of this whole process.
 
Hear our call!
 
SPECIAL INVITATION for tonight – live music under Te Hā
 
Tonight, we will make music and sing!  In peace and joy at Christmas, and to celebrate the successful protection of this place. 
 
IN AUCKLAND? LIVE MUSIC AND SONG TONIGHT!
 
Come this evening for live music under Te Hā, the great Pōhutukawa at Dove Myer Robinson Park, Parnell. 
 
Starts 6pm
·      Karakia            all sing Te Aroha
·      Mihi
·      Qalina on saxophone – sing-along to some of the Christmas carols!
·      Free form – all welcome to bring your guitar, ukulele or banjo – let’s sing!’
 
Bring a picnic, or there’s Mr Whippy for the kids from 6pm – 7pm.
 
Lyrics and meaning of the waiata Te Aroha:
 
Te aroha                                  Love
Te whakapono                        Hope (or faith)
Me te Rangimarie                   Peace
Tātou, tatou e                         For us all
 
NEW VIDEO – SPREAD THE WORD!
 
Copy and paste this link into your browser to view our special new video on the kaupapa in Facebook, then like and share it with your friends. 
 
https://fb.watch/a0O8xG1rQv/
 
If you have any further questions please email contact@sosnz.org.nz
 
Meri Kirihimete!