ACORD visit to Te Hapua

Mana (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 8, 13 October 1977, Page 1

ACORD visit to Te Hapua

Members of ACORD (the Auckland Committee on Racism and Discrimination) made a visit to Te Hapua on the weekend of September 30.

The land of Te Hapua is the subject of a long struggle where the government has again used it favourite tactic of divide and rule to separate the people from each other and from their land.

The Department of Lands and Survey wants to take the remaining coastal Maori land in exchange for a slightly smaller block of government-owned swamp and land unsuitable even for the forestry intended for it.

On their return ACORD members gave thier impressions to MANA.

“The purpose of the trip was twofold: it was to hear at first hand from the Aupori people about their plans and their struggle; also to rebuild our own strength and get a new perspective on Auckland from outside it.

“We were very happy to be accompanied by John Hippolite. Although John hails from Rangitane, he soon discovered a deep kinship with the Aupori people when they mentioned Kurahaupo as their canoe — for that happens to be his canoe too.

We were met at Awanui by Saana Murry’s daughter Marlene Uruamo, by Mrs Jon Matthews (the secretary of Tu Kotahi) and by her mother, Mrs Jane Berghan. After a hearty afternoon tea we made short work of the last miles to Te Hapua. There we were welcomed by Saana Murry, Paki Te Hou. Saana’s brother Paul Norman and by Jerry and Neta Paraone.

“The next day we were taken over the land to Kapow'airua, Spirits Bay. It was wonderful to be shown the land by some of the

kaumatua and be told a little of the history and'Significance of a place steeped in traditions. . We already knew from Maori people further south the special significance which Kapowairua holds for all the tribes of New Zealand and how important it is that those who have cared for the land for so long remain as its guardians. Now, after walking on the land with local people, we too have felt its beauty and the power of its history. We are convinced that exchanging this piece of land at the tip of the country for another block would be spiritual vandalism which would leave a trail of regret through later years. After the pilgrimage to Kapowairua and gathering flax there, we went back to Paul’s home in the heart of the land. He and his family live from the land and the sea — an inspiration for others to follow. "Saturday night there was whaikorero and we heard too from Robert Norman and Mike Abraham, chairman of Tu Kotahi.

"We have been shocked and saddened, although not surprised, to hear of the ploys and tricks used over the years to separate the people to Te Hapua from their land — the pressures of confusing and complicated administrative demands, rating dodges, designations and business deals. "On Sunday, after a magnificent breakfast of fresh Parengarenga oysters, pork and puha, sad farewells were made and as we left we were already planning when we could return and how the cause of Tu Kotahi could be helped. "It has been inspiring to hear of the vision of the people themselves for the land's future as the base for an outpost school where young people can gather to learn Maori language and culture while living from the ancestral land and practising traditional crafts.

"This is a practical, generous and far-sighted plan di-

rected towards the wellbeing and development of our country’s children and it will be a tragic blunder if it is

not allowed to succeed.”