Relaxed day at Okains Bay

Press, 7 February 1985, Page 1

Relaxed day at Okains Bay

A relaxed, picnic-day atmosphere prevailed for most of the Waitangi Day activities at Okains Bay yesterday. The only incident happened at 5 p.m. when a 20m Maori war canoe, the only seaworthy one of its size in the South Island, was paddied up the Okains River. It was carrying the GovernorGeneral’s representative, Lieutenant-Commander

David Watson, of the Royal New Zealand Navy, and Sergeant-Major Tony Bennett of Burnham Military Camp. About 100 anti-treaty protesters formed lines on either side of the path and shouted “Shame” and “The treaty is a fraud” as Commander Watson and Ser-geant-Major Bennett were escorted through by the police. The protesters continued shouting and chanting and moved in on members of the official party as they signed the visitors’ book.

Gates leading on to the road were closed by the police to hold back the protesters as Commander Watson left. No arrests were made.

Chief Inspector P. V.

Coster said there appeared to be a “bit of heat” in the situation then but the police were happy with how the protesters had behaved. For the rest of the day, however, the police had little to do but enjoy the sunshine and watch the activities, along with about 800 people. The day started with official speeches and a Maori challenge and welcome at 10.30 a.m., organised by the Okains Bay Maori and Colonial Museum Trust Board.

Displays of wheelwrighting, horse-shoeing, sheep shearing, and Maori carving were held during the day using equipment at the museum.

A hangi, opened at midday was popular with the crowd.

About 1 p.m. a bus full of people from the Waitangi Action and Learning Coalition arrived. They marched along the road singing and carrying banners. Street theatre and a debate were held by the coalition in the paddock opposite the museum during the afternoon.

A coalition spokesman, Mr Rob Ritchie, said he was unhappy because the day

felt like a celebration, in spite of promises to the contrary. The coalition had had meetings with the trust board before the day and it had been agreed it should be a cultural and educational day instead of a celebration of Waitangi Day.

“I have felt anxious all day and find it difficult to be easy with people who are prepared to celebrate like this,” said Mr Ritchie. “It is painful to be here, but it is also important to educate people.” The trust board’s chairman, Mr Ralph Jenkins, said it had always been the board’s aim to show the Maori and European working side by side.

“We decided to let them (members of the coalition), make speeches and debate it if they wanted to,” he said.

“They promised in return they would behave in a more seemly fashion than in previous years.”

The Maori war canoe was paddled up the Okains River by 30 members of the Burnham Maori Cultural Club. None had paddled a canoe of that size before and had been having “dry practices” for two days in preparation.