NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • Deloitte Fast 50
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / New Zealand

Ihumātao tension: Standoff ends dramatically

NZ Herald
5 Aug, 2019 11:15 PM8 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save
    Share this article
Focus: Ihum?tao protests continue
The Ihum?tao tension ends dramatically on Monday while protesters picket outside the Fletcher Building in Penrose the following morning. ...
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
0:00
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time -0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • subtitles settings, opens subtitles settings dialog
    • subtitles off, selected

      This is a modal window.

      Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.

      Text
      Text Background
      Caption Area Background
      Font Size
      Text Edge Style
      Font Family

      End of dialog window.

      This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.

      Autoplay in
      4
      Disable Autoplay
      Cancel Video
      The Ihumātao tension ends dramatically on Monday while protesters picket outside the Fletcher Building in Penrose the following morning.
      NOW PLAYING • Focus: Ihum?tao protests continue
      The Ihum?tao tension ends dramatically on Monday while protesters picket outside the Fletcher Building in Penrose the following morning. ...

      Ihumātao protesters have accused officers of using aggressive tactics against women during a dramatic standoff with police late last night.

      Escalating tensions and a stronger police presence prompted uneasy scenes at the occupation - with protest leader Pania Newton saying she was rammed by police with a gate last night, causing her to fall over.

      "I was really concerned that there were a number of minors at the front line, so I was coming through the gate and a police officer ran over, rammed the gate I was coming through and I did fall to the ground,'' she told MediaWorks.

      "A number of male police officers were quite physical with some of our female land protectors, and we're very confused as to why that happened last night at our time of prayer."

      Police today disputed Newton's version of events.

      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.
      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.

      Counties Manukau District Commander Superintendent Jill Rogers said: "Police reject allegations that a protester was pushed over."

      Rogers said police had held regular meetings with organisers to make sure the protest action remained peaceful.

      But police were forced to take action when it was indicated that the protesters were about to make a move of their own.

      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.

      "Yesterday, during a meeting with organisers, the protesters communicated their intent to move past the cordon and reoccupy the land.

      "In response to this, police [were] required to increase our presence at the site. Officers had to be taken off their other duties to come to the protest site.''

      Rogers said despite repeated warnings from police officers, a large group of people attempted to bypass the police cordon.

      Newton said protesters had been getting ready for late-night prayers last night when police turned up.

      Discover more

      Kahu

      The tragedy of Ihumātao

      24 Jul 12:56 AM
      Kahu

      Simon Wilson: A beautiful, sad day at Ihumātao

      24 Jul 05:00 PM
      Kahu

      Battle for Ihumātao: How farmland became a flashpoint

      28 Jul 03:21 AM
      Kahu

      Kīngitanga flag raised at Ihumātao

      02 Aug 11:22 PM

      "It's just been shocking in the way that we've been treated down here.

      "Without any notice, police cars have pulled up ... and we've been told that if we don't move off the frontline, we could face being trespassed or even worse, arrested," she said.

      "But we are still peaceful and positive down here, whānau.

      "We don't plan on being arrested. That's not our kaupapa. Our kaupapa is about being peaceful and to protect our whenua."

      Focus Live Earlier: Ihum?tao tension: Standoff ends dramatically
      Focus Live Earlier: Ihum?tao tension: Standoff ends dramatically. ...
      Video Player is loading.
      Current Time 0:00
      /
      Duration 0:00
      Loaded: 0%
      0:00
      Stream Type LIVE
      Remaining Time -0:00
       
      1x
        • Chapters
        • descriptions off, selected
        • subtitles settings, opens subtitles settings dialog
        • subtitles off, selected

          This is a modal window.

          Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.

          Text
          Text Background
          Caption Area Background
          Font Size
          Text Edge Style
          Font Family

          End of dialog window.

          This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.

          NOW PLAYING • Focus Live Earlier: Ihum?tao tension: Standoff ends dramatically
          Focus Live Earlier: Ihum?tao tension: Standoff ends dramatically. ...

          Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed she has no "immediate" plan to visit the protest site.

          "I have no immediate plan to. I haven't ruled it out in the future but not right now."

          Advertisement
          Advertise with NZME.

          An update on the Save Our Unique Landscape (Soul) campaign website early this morning reiterated claims that women at Ihumātao last night were manhandled by male police officers.

          "During their operation, a number of male officers were also physical with some of our female kaitiaki [guardians].

          "No one was seriously hurt. However, the actions were completely unnecessary.

          "We have continued and maintained a peaceful, passive and positive resistance as land protectors and we are proud of everyone who came out tonight and the way they stayed true to our kaupapa of rangimārie [peace]."

          Fresh protest action today

          Protesters have gathered outside Fletcher Building, the developer of the Ihumātao site, this morning.

          The self-proclaimed protectors of the land held a picket outside Fletcher Building in Penrose, Auckland from 7.30am today.

          Advertisement
          Advertise with NZME.

          By 7am there was a strong security presence at the Penrose site. A small group of protesters were outside Fletcher's holding "Toot to support Ihumātao" placards.

          People protest outside Fletcher Building on Great South Rd in Penrose. Photo / Jason Oxenham
          People protest outside Fletcher Building on Great South Rd in Penrose. Photo / Jason Oxenham

          More than 80 protesters were at the site, with some spilling on to the other side of the road.

          Soul member Brendan Corbett used a megaphone to address protesters, but directed some of his message directly at Fletcher's executive Steve Evans.

          He hoped Evans could hear him. He expected he was sitting around the boardroom table having a debrief with other board members - it would likely be an uncomfortable meeting, he said.

          Focus: Ihum?tao protesters have called for a 'national day of action' and gather outside Parliament
          Focus: Ihum?tao protesters have called for a "national day of action" and gather outside Parliament. Video / Mark Mitchell ...
          Video Player is loading.
          Current Time 0:00
          /
          Duration 0:00
          Loaded: 0%
          0:00
          Stream Type LIVE
          Remaining Time -0:00
           
          1x
            • Chapters
            • descriptions off, selected
            • subtitles settings, opens subtitles settings dialog
            • subtitles off, selected

              This is a modal window.

              Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.

              Text
              Text Background
              Caption Area Background
              Font Size
              Text Edge Style
              Font Family

              End of dialog window.

              This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.

              NOW PLAYING • Focus: Ihum?tao protesters have called for a 'national day of action' and gather outside Parliament
              Focus: Ihum?tao protesters have called for a "national day of action" and gather outside Parliament. Video / Mark Mitchell ...

              Corbett said last night there was a "crazy situation of 30 police cars driving at breakneck speed through Māngere Bridge" to interrupt people eating dinner and at prayer. It was a ridiculous situation as there was no emergency, he said.

              Today's protests are being dubbed as "a national day of action".

              Advertisement
              Advertise with NZME.

              He says people are smiling and laughing and there's no aggression.

              Fletcher employees are being checked for ID by security before they pass the barrier.

              The protest outside Fletcher Building on Great South Road in Penrose. Photo / Jason Oxenham
              The protest outside Fletcher Building on Great South Road in Penrose. Photo / Jason Oxenham

              As well as the protest event in Penrose, Auckland, other events today are planned for Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin.

              Supporters are being encouraged to dress in green to "support the protection of our whenua".

              Ardern told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking the Government talked to representatives from mana whenua about the situation last week.

              "Obviously the focus for us is to try and help facilitate a solution to be found, so that's what's underway right now and I absolutely stand by that being a role for us as the government.

              Advertisement
              Advertise with NZME.

              "And at that time the announcement was made that there would be no more activity on the land until a solution was found. And that's the place that we're at right now."

              An approximate 800-strong support crew from the Kīngitanga movement went with Māori King Tuhetia to Ihumātao at the weekend and were currently "directly involved in the discussions" that were happening right now.

              "We're not directly involved in that at the moment it's very much a discussion between Māoridom seeking to find an issue for Māori."

              Standoff last night after police presence boosted

              Today's planned protest follows a standoff at Ihumātao that ended dramatically just before midnight as both sides abandoned their positions.

              Hundreds of people turned up to the historical site in Māngere, South Auckland, after a call was made via social media when police suddenly boosted their numbers late last night.

              Tensions were high at the protest site late last night as police sent in extra reinforcements to "maintain order", which split the protesters into two groups. There were accusations the police were kettling the protesters. Superintendent Jill Rogers said police had decided "to deploy additional police officers to ensure there is no breach of the peace".

              Advertisement
              Advertise with NZME.

              The advance guard of protesters walked back to join the main group, and police then withdrew their line separating the two groups.

              Protest organisers said they had reached an agreement with the police for patrol cars blocking the road to be removed while the protesters gathered in the road for prayers.

              Police stand aside as the United protest group sings a Māori hymn. Photo / Simon Collins
              Police stand aside as the United protest group sings a Māori hymn. Photo / Simon Collins

              At 12.25am this morning about 80 police officers were still lining one side of Ihumātao Quarry Rd facing the combined group of several hundred protesters.

              #Ihumatao pic.twitter.com/phRqRR8cGL

              — Rangi Kemara (@Te_Taipo) August 5, 2019

              Protest leader Pania Newton said the protesters were waiting for a commitment from police to reduce their presence.

              Singer Stan Walker told the protesters that they were standing up for indigenous peoples around the world.

              Newton earlier told the main protest group that the protesters were trying to resolve the standoff.

              Advertisement
              Advertise with NZME.

              "We are working out how we can de-escalate the situation so we can all go home safely and our line can remain," she told the group.

              A large group of police officers returned to vans as both protest groups chanted defiantly that they would never give up their land.

              #Ihumatao pic.twitter.com/kVFeZjbtyl

              — Rangi Kemara (@Te_Taipo) August 5, 2019

              The mood was excited, with music blaring out of the main tent.

              One young woman said she believed police wanted to spark the protesters into violence so they could arrest the leaders. But no one from the protest group challenged the police line.

              Newton told MediaWorks this morning that she was hit by police with a gate last night, causing her to fall over.

              Police hold the main protest group apart from the advance guard at Ihumātao. Photo / Simon Collins
              Police hold the main protest group apart from the advance guard at Ihumātao. Photo / Simon Collins

              An update on the Soul campaign website early this morning reiterated claims that women at Ihumātao last night were manhandled by male police officers.

              Advertisement
              Advertise with NZME.

              "During their operation, a number of male officers were also physical with some of our female kaitiaki.

              "No one was seriously hurt. However, the actions were completely unnecessary.

              "We have continued and maintained a peaceful, passive and positive resistance as land protectors and we are proud of everyone who came out tonight and the way they stayed true to our kaupapa of rangimārie [peace].''

              Ngā mihi for all your tautoko, whaanau. Police have separated our front line whenua protectors from their whaanau, kai and wai but their wairua remains strong. We ask people to come to Ihumātao to join our peaceful protest #protectIhumatao #protectIhumātao

              — Protect Ihumātao (@protectihumatao) August 5, 2019

              Green MP Marama Davidson tweeted: "This doesn't bode well for peaceful resolution."

              This doesn't bode well for peaceful resolution. To Ihumātao kaitiaki - I have raised my concerns with government Ministers and am seeking more information behind this escalation. Please stay as safe and look after each other as much as you can, while I try find out more. https://t.co/zNJZnLalHc

              — Marama Davidson MP (@MaramaDavidson) August 5, 2019
              Save
                Share this article

              Latest from New Zealand

              New Zealand

              Naughty or nice: Uber unwraps rider ratings list

              New Zealand

              Lucky punter claims life-changing $20m Powerball prize

              New Zealand

              'Children are the future': New group aims to unite farming families


              Sponsored

              Farm plastic recycling: Getting it right saves cows, cash, and the planet

              Advertisement
              Advertise with NZME.

              Recommended for you

              Hamilton Musical Theatre's In The Heights 'dynamic, supportive and fun'
              Reviews

              Hamilton Musical Theatre's In The Heights 'dynamic, supportive and fun'

              Lucky punter claims life-changing $20m Powerball prize
              New Zealand

              Lucky punter claims life-changing $20m Powerball prize

              'Children are the future': New group aims to unite farming families
              The Country

              'Children are the future': New group aims to unite farming families

              Whanganui hosts Dental for All panel on free dental care campaign
              Whanganui Chronicle

              Whanganui hosts Dental for All panel on free dental care campaign

              Watch: Amazing footage shows dolphins swimming within touching distance of paddler
              New Zealand

              Watch: Amazing footage shows dolphins swimming within touching distance of paddler

              Migrants tackle workplace communication challenges
              Bay of Plenty Times

              Migrants tackle workplace communication challenges



              Latest from New Zealand

              Naughty or nice: Uber unwraps rider ratings list
              New Zealand

              Naughty or nice: Uber unwraps rider ratings list

              Tauranga is 7th for the nicest city in NZ, according to Uber's ratings list.

              11 Aug 02:43 AM
              Lucky punter claims life-changing $20m Powerball prize
              New Zealand

              Lucky punter claims life-changing $20m Powerball prize

              11 Aug 02:30 AM
              'Children are the future': New group aims to unite farming families
              New Zealand

              'Children are the future': New group aims to unite farming families

              11 Aug 02:30 AM


              Farm plastic recycling: Getting it right saves cows, cash, and the planet
              Sponsored

              Farm plastic recycling: Getting it right saves cows, cash, and the planet

              10 Aug 09:12 PM

              NZ Herald
              • About NZ Herald
              • Meet the journalists
              • Newsletters
              • Classifieds
              • Help & support
              • Contact us
              • House rules
              • Privacy Policy
              • Terms of use
              • Competition terms & conditions
              • Our use of AI
              Subscriber Services
              • NZ Herald e-editions
              • Daily puzzles & quizzes
              • Manage your digital subscription
              • Manage your print subscription
              • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
              • Subscribe to Herald Premium
              • Gift a subscription
              • Subscriber FAQs
              • Subscription terms & conditions
              • Promotions and subscriber benefits
              NZME Network
              • The New Zealand Herald
              • The Northland Age
              • The Northern Advocate
              • Waikato Herald
              • Bay of Plenty Times
              • Rotorua Daily Post
              • Hawke's Bay Today
              • Whanganui Chronicle
              • Viva
              • NZ Listener
              • Newstalk ZB
              • BusinessDesk
              • OneRoof
              • Driven Car Guide
              • iHeart Radio
              • Restaurant Hub
              NZME
              • About NZME
              • NZME careers
              • Advertise with NZME
              • Digital self-service advertising
              • Book your classified ad
              • Photo sales
              • NZME Events
              • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
              TOP
              search by queryly Advanced Search