Posted on 30-5-2003

Ngawha Hui
by Karyn Amoore

The powhiri is at 11am Sat 31st May. As well as the hui there is a hangi
planned.

Moea Armstrong reotahi@igrin.co.nz wrote: Ngawha - Noho Rangimarie
co-chairmen Thomas Dalton (021 233 7961) and Frank Brown are calling
supporters of the noho to a hui there on May 31. Not one drop of concrete
has yet been laid, some 14 months since earthworks began.

Construction contractor Mainzeal are however preparing to begin work on the
site, "before winter". The earthworks are still underway, continually
delayed by unprecedented rainfall in the area. Truckloads of fill are
still being transported on to the site. The Corrections Dept has attempted
to get the Far North District Council involved in the dispute by way of
complaining about breaches to health and safety bylaws, to no avail.

All kaitiaki are fit and well, with sanitation of the highest standard.
Supporters continue to visit the noho, including kura and kohanga
roopu. Thomas says the aim of the noho is to keep tangata whenua
opposition visible, and to keep the door open for manuhiri to visit the
site to learn about Ngawha, and about the wider context of increasing rates
of imprisonment in Aotearoa, second only to the USA. He said all supporters
are allowed access to the noho, and should cite the current agreement if
Corrections staff try to refuse entry. The current agreement allows
kaitiaki to occupy the site for two years. It is thought that the
department will try other means to remove the whare and kitchen however,
possibly by the end of May.

Their latest idea is that the land is needed for a planting programme. A
reasonable turnout on the 31st would go some way to helping the department
realise the depth of feeling any impending unilateral eviction could
arouse. Several kaitiaki are due to be processed at the Kaikohe District
Court on May 28. Many are banned from 100 metres either side of the site as
a result of previous convictions. There will be a Ngawha feature in the
next issue of NZ Photography, featuring the work of three of the occupiers.
Those at the noho have instigated a new bank account for occupation
expenses, with the Dove account having been closed by the former signatories.

The new account is Westpac, 03 0334 020032825 50. Donations are welcome and
will be receipted on request. Tee shirts and badges are also still
available (contact Kataraina 021 0351799 or Karyn 025 417209). A hangi is
planned for the 31st, which will be Day 173 of the
occupation. Large groups should contact the chairmen in advance. Those at
the noho wish to convey their empathy and commiserations to the tangata
whenua of Meremere, the next site.