Police and protesters block Ihumatao Quarry Rd, Mangere, Auckland. (Photo / Michael Craig)

Ihumātao protest: Dogs pepper-sprayed, Lambton Quay blocked

Author: RNZ,
Publish Date: Wed, 24 Jul 2019, 1:42PM

By Gill Bonnett of RNZ

Police pepper-sprayed two dogs and arrested two people at the scene of a stand-off over contested Māori land in Auckland.

The site at Ihumātao near Auckland Airport is due to be developed by Fletcher Building but has been the subject of a bitter dispute and occupation, and an eviction notice was served against occupiers yesterday.

Meanwhile people have blocked Wellington's Lambton Quay - in solidarity with protests at Ihumātao. A large crowd can be seen holding Māori flags, and placards, and letting off flares as they made their way to Parliament.

Hundreds of demonstrators and dozens of police officers are now at the site, after a group of 50 stayed overnight. Three people were arrested yesterday.

Police said protesters attempted to obstruct a Fletcher's truck from gaining access through the cordon this morning and two were arrested.

One woman will face charges of obstruction and being unlawfully on a vehicle. A second person will be given a pre-charge warning for obstruction before being released.

Police said they will remain at the site until the situation has been resolved. Photo / Michael Craig

Police said two "uncontrolled and aggressive" dogs also had to be pepper-sprayed at the cordon.

A peaceful overnight demonstration with waiata and a camp fire turned into angry scenes shortly before 8am this morning when a contractors truck attempted to drive through the access road.

A spokesperson for the protesters group SOUL, Pania Newton, said that was despite an agreement with police that no more vehicles would go through.

"There was an agreement made this morning that no further vehicles would be entering onto the whenua," she said.

"The police have breached our trust. We no longer have any confidence in the New Zealand police."

Another demonstrator, Pauline Nathan, said the area had been their playground as children and their grandparents grew up there, so they had to stand firm.

"I think our ancestors would be proud of us, I think that New Zealand should be proud of us Māori people, and they need to be here," she said.

Counties Manukau District Commander superintendent Jill Rogers said they have remained on site to ensure the safety of everyone present and prevent any breach of the peace, while allowing Fletcher Living to go about their lawful business.

They will remain at the site until the situation has been resolved.

"One of the protesters put their own safety at risk by climbing on to the truck and wedging themselves between the cabin and the tray, forcing the truck to stop to prevent any serious injuries," she said.

"Police at the cordon had to use pepper spray on two large uncontrolled and aggressive dogs this morning."

Newton and one of the other protesters had touched the dogs and also suffered the effects of the pepper spray.

Ihumātao solidarity protest blocks Lambton Quay @radionz @rnz_news pic.twitter.com/CvpqRRlHAQ
— Jamie Tahana (@JamieTahana) July 24, 2019

Meanwhile, dozens of people have also gathered near Parliament in Wellington to support the protesters:

But Labour MP Peeni Henare has dismissed the idea of Māori MPs stepping in to resolve the dispute at Ihumātao, saying they have tried everything they can to find a solution.

Henare said MPs met with Fletchers, local iwi Te Kawerau ā Maki, and SOUL, but were unable to reach a consensus about how to move forward.