13 February 1988 is a day of thanksgiving and celebration for the return of Māori land. Twenty-five hectares by the Raglan harbour was taken by the Crown for defence purposes during the Second World War. Later it became the Raglan golf course. Now it's back in the hands of Tainui Awhiro people.
In 1978, 17 Māori protesters were arrested on the golf course for trespass. Their court appearance set off a chain of events which trailed through the courts amidst bitter argument at local and national level, but finally led to the return of the land to local Māori people. The golf course has been re-sited in the hills overlooking Raglan.
In 1988, more than a thousand people gather to remember those who fought for what they considered a triumph over injustice. It's also a day for fun, dancing and singing. This programme looks at arguments both for and against Māori ownership of the land and looks at the divisions arising between Māori and Pākehā.
(Sound Archives T7491)
