People feared if Whanganui was about to become another Bastion Point – or worse.
Walking onto Pakaitore / Moutoa Gardens for the first time, notebook and pen at hand, was like walking into the lion's den.
A placard labelled the local press a 'racist rag'. It felt far from peaceful.
That's when I first met Tariana Turia.
She and other senior iwi – Ken Mair and the late Niko Tangaroa – took time to sit under a canvas shade and explain their motivations and the issues they had.
Tariana did so with kindness, respect and patience. She later became one of the occupation's main spokespeople – and went on to a career in Parliament and a national honour.
The occupation ran for a turbulent 79 days – and while issues still simmer today – achieved much to advance iwi aspirations, address some of their grievances, and provide those with a will to listen, a better understanding.
Today the occupation is marked each year with festive family-friendly celebrations that seem a world apart from those more than 20 years ago.
While Tariana was reportedly a reluctant recipient, her investiture in the city on Tuesday as a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit was an appropriate mark of respect for a courageous campaigner and an inspiration to many.
Arise Aunty Tari.
