Sunday, 8 June 2008

08 Pipiri (June) 2008

"Toitu he kainga whatungarongaro he tangata."
People pass on but our home on the land remains.
Voiced by Keri Ratima

This week on Te Ahi Kaa a Takaparawhau/Bastion Point special:

Apihai te Kawau, the Ngati Whatua rangatira, gave 3000 acres of land to Governor Hobson in 1840 that became the Auckland that we know. Seven hundred further acres were set aside for Ngati Whatua at Okahu Bay, but were whittled over the years to leave just a nub of land before the iwi were forcibly resettled to Kitemoana Street, Orakei. When it looked as if their presence was in danger and a housing project was going to be established at the Orakei Headland, an occupation ensued.

Patu Clark remembers her time at the Okahu Papakainga as one of warmth and aroha surrounded by her whanau. Yet she says that for most of her childhood her people were hounded by the crown and various government agencies. On Te Ahi Kaa she recalls an experience in 1948, when she was 7, that shaped her world view and led to her whanau prominence during the occupation.

Also, we talk with Precious Clark, Patu's daughter whose beginnings date back to the occupation, and who was named for her cousin who died tragically in the occupation village.

Patu Clark's younger brother Joe Hawke was a key figure in the occupation. We have an archival recording of him responding to the day's events.

Tigilau Ness was arrested at Bastion Point. At the time he was a member of the Polynesian Panthers, modeled on Malcolm X's Black Panther movement. In Te Ahi Kaa, he revisits the day of his arrest and describes how he thinks the event has shaped modern New Zealand.

Waiata played a significant role in the emotional sustenance of the occupiers. Key songs feature throughout the on-air programme.

And if you're interested in upcoming Matariki Events, they include the launching of a new Maori publishing house called Taramea.