What led to Bastion Point?

Protesters occupied Bastion Point in January 1977 after the government announced a housing development on former Ngāti Whātua reserve land. The reserve had been gradually reduced in size by compulsory acquisition, leaving Ngāti Whātua ki Ōrākei holding less than 1 ha.

How did Bastion Point start?

It began on 5 January 1977, and ended on 25 May 1978 (the 507th day), when 222 protesters were evicted and arrested by police. After the end of the occupation, Ngāti Whātua filed claims to the Waitangi Tribunal, which the government largely accepted.

What was the issue with Bastion Point?

Events In History Police and army personal removed 222 people from Bastion Point, Auckland, ending an occupation that had begun in January 1977. Ngāti Whātua were protesting against the loss of land in the Ōrakei Block, which had once been declared ‘absolutely inalienable’.

Why did the government want Bastion Point?

In 1976 the government proposed selling part of the Bastion Point reserve for luxury housing. It was on ancestral land that Ngāti Whātua hoped to get back. The new housing was never built and under a Treaty of Waitangi settlement much of the land was returned to Ngāti Whātua. …

What was the result of the occupation of Bastion Point?

A long-term consequence of the occupation of Bastion Point was the remembrance of what it meant to be Māori, as the community was brought together the resurgence of Māori culture spread and Pakeha assimilation attempts were supressed.

What was the example of the Bastion Point protest?

Bastion Point was not the only piece of Maori land that had been confiscated, another example was the Raglan Golf Course which was land that had belonged to the Tainui Awhira tribe. Between 1975 and 1978, Eva Rickard led several protests and occupations at the Raglan Golf Club.

When did the Ngati Whatua leave Bastion Point?

Read more… Police and army personal removed 222 people from Bastion Point, Auckland, ending an occupation that had begun in January 1977. Ngāti Whātua were protesting against the loss of land in the Ōrakei Block, which had once been declared ‘absolutely inalienable’.

Where was Bastion Point located in New Zealand?

The government announced that it had agreed to the Waitangi Tribunal’s recommendation that Takaparawhā (Bastion Point) on the southern shore of Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour be returned to local iwi Ngāti Whātua. Read more…