Gisborne hapū plans hīkoi and occupation amid call to reclaim lands

Ngāti Oneone chairwoman Charlotte Gibson says they will “fight for the right” to have their land returned and is calling for people to attend a hīkoi and occupation next week.

A Gisborne hapū has declared it “will fight for the right” to have its lands returned.

Ngāti Oneone is to hold a hīkoi and occupation next week.

This year marked 95 years of Ngāti Oneone being displaced from its mana whenua lands, Ngāti Oneone hapū chairwoman Charlotte Gibson said.

The occupation will be at Te Pā Eketū Shed on Hirini St, next to the urupā, “for as long as it takes”.

On Monday, at 8am, the hīkoi will start at the Gisborne District Council administration building in Fitzherbert St, head towards Trust Tairāwhiti and finish at Eastland Port offices.

The hapū’s Poho-o-Rāwiri Marae (1852) and pā were originally established on Hirini Street but were removed to develop the Gisborne harbour area under the Public Works Act.

Now, the hapū is imploring the council, Trust Tairāwhiti and Eastland Port (a commercial arm of Trust Tairāwhiti) to return land that is not in use.

Trust Tairāwhiti is Tairāwhiti’s regional economic development agency and regional tourism organisation under a funding partnership with the council.

Gibson called for everyone, especially hapū members, to attend.

Ngāti Oneone is holding a hui on Sunday at 2pm at the Te Pa Eketū Shed to discuss the hīkoi and occupation.

Gisborne District Council, Eastland Port and Trust Tairāwhiti have been approached for comment.

• This story has been amended to say the hapū’s Poho-o-Rāwiri Marae (1852) and pā were originally established on Hirini St but were removed to develop the Gisborne harbour area under the Public Works Act.