Deja hue and cry over Whanganui inaction

By ALISON HORWOOD in Wanganui

They moved in the darkness before dawn.

A group, some young, some elderly, a few in wheelchairs, gang members wearing their patches, strode on to Wanganui's Moutoa Gardens just after 4.30am yesterday to occupy it, again.

Seven years after protesters ended a 79-day occupation of the gardens - known to local Maori as Pakaitore - in a dispute over its ownership, they were back.

This time the occupation is over what Maori say is the long time it is taking to settle a Waitangi Tribunal claim over the ownership of the Whanganui River.

Nik Karaitiana drove for five hours from Tarawera to Wanganui because he believes the future of the river is important. "This is about our young people, our mokopuna, and leaving them something worth having."

As the day advanced, about 80 people spent much of the time in meetings inside two large tents. Outside, young children played.

Local iwi believe treaty negotiations over ownership and management of the Whanganui are taking too long and that a resource consent application from Genesis Power to take water from the river for 35 years will be decided before their claim is settled.

John Niko Maihi, of Te Runanga o Tupoho, said iwi representatives had met Associate Maori Affairs Minister Tariana Turia, herself a protester in 1995, to seek assurances that Whanganui River iwi would be given a say in the river's future.

Among those listening was the man whose name, along with that of protester Ken Mair, became synonymous with the 1995 occupation, Wanganui Mayor Chas Poynter.

He attended so he could get a better understanding of talks between the iwi and Crown over the river. He said he did not want to say too much but earlier had expressed his disappointment at the occupation.

"It will not be good for the community here and will split it in two.

"It could push the town to the edge."

But a river iwi member, who did not want to be named, said the gathering was a wananga, or opportunity to discuss issues. It was not an occupation.

"In Hyde Park, it is possible for a man to pull up a soapbox and give vent to his anger. Perhaps a parallel can be drawn with that. This is the Maori of Hyde Park."

Police said earlier yesterday that the sit-in was peaceful and they did not expect to be involved.

A trust made up of Wanganui City Council, iwi and Crown representatives, set up after the 1995 occupation, gave permission for the iwi to occupy the gardens.