Waitangi ‘Confrontation’ Sensationalised by Press

Mana (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 15, 23 February 1978, Page 4

Waitangi ‘Confrontation’ Sensationalised by Press

by

Hilda Halkyard

Contrary to Press sensationalism, there were no violent skirmishes at the Waitangi Day “celebrations” . . . only a handful of protesters were on the scene. Representatives of Nga Tamatoa, Te Matakite o Aotearoa, and several concerned young Maoris, travelled from various parts of Te Ika a Maui, (the North Island) to protest the manner in which the Treaty of Waitangi has been violated by the Queen of England and her peoples.

One member of Nga Tamatoa expressed apologies to Graham Latimer and Bruce Gregory for not being present at the open forum on the eve of te ra Waitangi, to air their reasons for protest.

In keeping with the respect for the mana of the Waitangi marae and its peoples, protesters did not disturb the procedure on the marae. However, pamphlets called “A Broken Contract” were handed out, some elders were not in agreement, but did not object. The pamphlets were received well on the whole, some people refused them, because they were more contemptuous of the name Nga Tamatoa rather than what was contained in the pamphlet.

Later in the evening protesters moved up to the Treaty House. Nearly a hundred policemen were there, accompanied by two dogs of the same mentality. Now who wants to argue with these type of forces?-fcreally feel sorry for Police in situations like this,' because they are deliberately being used, their presence has always intimidated Maori Political Protest Movements, from Te Whiti of Parihaka right through to the Raglan stand.

Regardless of the silent threats that lurked around the perimeter of the crowd, protester began to voice his protest. “The terms of the Treaty have been broken, what are we celebrating? February 6 is a day of mourning, and not a day of celebration. The Treaty promises us the rights to our kai moana, lands and forestries, today we must have a quota, today we have 1.5 million acres left from a total of 66 million acres, today our forestry reserves are in the throes of being ripped off by Pakeha based forestry companies e.g. Te Hapua and Ngati Hine.”

The protester called for a total boycott of all Waitangi Day celebrations, until the Treaty is given its full legal recognition. Alot of people were upset, less people were in agreement with the protest but the protestors felt they had proved a point. The mana of the performing groups had been directly insulted, and their performance in return sounded truly magnificent.

However, in performing for the celebrations, they were in fact supporting that the Treaty and its broken terms stay unratified, and that race relations in New Zealand are wonderful. The protesters ask that they boycott all further Waitangi Day farces. Who and what are you really honouring?

“The pull between the young and the old is tremendous,” said one young person. “I really respect my elders for who they are and what they stand for. They don’t want to see any more Maori land falling into the wrong hands, they agree that most lands were acquired wrongfully and yet when we stand up to voice the same views they tell us to shut up. I know they are more strongly bound by tradition and protocol than we are. We respect these same things as well. Although we have grown up in the city, landless and without our mother tongue we still respect these things of Maoritanga. We need their support. What we say today has been said by elders before us, why do you reject our truth?”

“Our elders encourage us to seek higher education, and when we uncover all of the degrading rip offs, are we supposed to ignore them? Do you want us to join Maori Affairs and become an Uncle Brownie? We deserve

to be told off some of the time, just as our elders need to be told off. When will you listen to what we the young people wish to achieve, we can’t wait until we are middle-aged by then it could be too late.

Of Matiu Rata’s stand in ( not welcoming the Governor General, one protester says “Rata’s stand was only half a stand, he used Waitangi Marae to voice his stand, and he used Waitangi Day for the wrong reason. Rata should have refused to welcome the Governor General, because the Treaty of Waitangi has not been ratified, he is an opportunist with poor taste.”

The protesters feel that they have proved a point, and that there should be a protest every year as a matter of protest.

For those people who would like a copy of “A Broken Contract”, please send a 30 cent postal order, and a self addressed envelope to

“A Broken Contract” copy order, P.O. Box 68320, Newton, Auckland.”

(30 cents is to cover xeroxing costs, for each pamphlet).