Mangere community news. This month: Support for Ihumatao, new 'regen' zone in Mangere East, rail to the airport - and more!
EDITION #42
JUNE 2018
275
Māngere’s
times
275 times
Our stories, our people, our Māngere
Kōrero paki ō tatou, Tāngata ō tatou, Ngā Hau Māngere ō tatou
Strong community support
for Ihumātao land battle
Only a day after
Bastion Point’s 40-
year commemorations,
hundreds of people
gathered on contested
land in Ihumātao to show
their commitment to
the ongoing campaign
to stop an unwanted
housing development
by Fletcher Residential.
Led by mana whenua, the ‘Take a
Stand on the Land’ action drew strong
support from the wider Māngere
and Auckland communities.
Standing alongside Ihumātao
whānau were political and Māori
leaders, kaumātua and kuia, activist
groups, unions, families and students,
all forming a human chain along
the lower slopes of the ancestral
maunga, Te Puketaapapatanga
ā Hape (also known as Pukeiti,
Auckland’s smallest volcanic cone).
Demonstrators massed between
brightly coloured flags to
create a symbolic ‘protective
arch’ over the land.
They then converged
to spell ‘SOUL’
(‘Save Our
Unique
Free!
Landscape’) on the hillside
below, emphasising to Fletcher,
the New Zealand Government
and Auckland Council that the
proposed development, known
as SHA62, is unacceptable.
The message? This land, adjoining
the Otuataua Stonefields Historic
Reserve, must be protected
from further desecration.
Despite the festival
atmosphere,
which included
live music by
veteran reggae
musician
Tigilau Ness,
there was a
strong sense
of solidarity
>> continued
on page 2
Hundreds of people gather on the land to form the word SOUL (Save
Our Unique Landscape) and show their support for the protection
of the threatened site at Ihumātao. (Photo: Qiane Matata-Sipu)
2
EDITORIAL
Talofa lava
The cold rains
of winter were
rolling across
the Manukau
Harbour,
and as luck would have it,
I was only halfway up a
rocky slope of the Otuataua
Stonefields in Ihumātao.
The group of Māngere College
geography students that I was
with were already relaxing
at the top (and had been for
at least fifteen minutes).
When I finally reached the
summit of the dormant
volcanic crater that had
to be reconstructed after
it was quarried out, a
sense of accomplishment
overwhelmed me.
Then…I turned around.
I saw buildings, warehouses and
other structures tightening in
around this cultural landscape.
Cars full of people speeding past.
No one cared that we were there.
Down the road, on the shores
of the harbour near the airport
runways, are the fossilized
stumps of a kauri forest. These
trees once stood like majestic
chiefs watching over their
people, their land, their home.
No one goes to see them now.
Recently I received the Samoan
matai title of Tuatagaloa
(Tuataga for short) from my
mother’s side of the family and
the village of Manunu in Samoa.
While the cultural significance of
the title sits squarely within the
confines of my family heritage
and the customs of the Fa’a
Samoa, I know that there are
things in the big world that
are scraping like bulldozers
to erase its importance.
It’s all up to us now.
Stay warm out there Māngere.
Alofa tele,
Hermann
Tuataga Hermann Arp Jr
Editor
Campaign
supporters form
a ‘protective arch’
over the land
and spell out the
word ‘SOUL’ at
Ihumātao. (Drone
footage by Chris
McKeen/Stuff)
Support for Ihumātao
>> continued from page 1
and renewed energy for the campaign,
which is now in its third year.
“This land was stolen from our
ancestors 150 years ago,” says
Pania Newton. “Our people have
continued to be kaitiaki of our
whenua over generations, and
we are here today to continue to
defend it from further destruction.”
Dr Haare Williams and Ihumātao
kaumātua Maurice Wilson Jr
opened the event with karakia and
encouraging words of support.
Dr Williams, a Ringatū minister and
recipient of the New Zealand Order of
Merit, said he had faith in the values
of the Labour Party and in the Labour
Party itself. However, if the Government
could not find a solution to the
housing problem in Auckland without
the land at Ihumātao being taken,
then he would consider returning his
New Zealand Order of Merit medal.
Green Party Co-leader Marama
Davidson and Auckland Councillor
Cathy Casey, who have supported
the campaign since its inception,
both publicly vowed to do all in their
power to see the land protected.
Other speakers emphasised the
ongoing injustices suffered by
Part of the ‘protective arch’
at Ihumātao (Photo: Rebecca Hobbs)
Above: Dr Haare Williams is
considering returning his New Zealand
Order of Merit medal if the Government
allows the development at Ihumātao to
go ahead. (Photo: Qiane Matata-Sipu)
the people of Ihumātao and the
importance of working out a
different future for the land – one
that all parties could live with.
“This magnificent turnout on this
cold, windy day in May, shows the
strength of the community behind
this campaign. Fletcher will have a
bigger fight on their hands if they
continue to push forward with the
plans for development,” says SOUL
spokesperson Brendan Corbett.
Find out more at:
www.soulstopsha.org
Facebook: @protectihumatao
The story of my korowai
Vai Edwards recently completed a beautiful
korowai at the free classes at the Māngere
East Community Centre. This is her story.
By Vai Edwards
My korowai is called Te Tahi Rangimarie (The
peaceful one). It’s my first piece, and it represents
me, my culture, and the peace and beauty of my
mother’s homeland of Mangaia, Cook Islands.
The rich dark brown at the bottom of the
piece represents the island and its many
caves and underground caverns. The green
is the growth of the plants and trees.
The lighter brown in the middle represents
the people going about their daily business.
The yellow is the warmth and happiness
of the people, and the white represents my
Heavenly Father watching over His people.
The Ta’aniko motif at the very top is a pattern
unique to the island of Mangaia. It represents two
warriors tied together back-to-back in battle.
Vai has given the korowai to her Māori cousin, who has
been going through hard times, as a generous ‘gift of love’.
Right:Vai Edwards proudly shows her korowai. (Photo: Lyn Doherty)
Key priorities this year
Tēnā koutou, tafola lava and greetings from our Local Board.
Local Board
chair Lemauga
Lydia Sosene.
I’m pleased to say we
have completed our local
board agreement for the
financial year 2018/19.
This agreement is to deliver
on the first year of the threeyear
Local Board Plan 2017.
We have considered your
feedback from the Have Your
Say consultation on the annual
plan and long-term plan and
thank you for the comments.
While I can’t go into all of it due
to space, what you have told us
has helped shape and decide
our priorities in a number
of areas: Environmental
sustainability, which means to
reduce waste, build capacity
and innovative initiatives for
recycling and support the
cleaning up of our streams
and beaches will continue to
attract our strong support.
Sustainable practices by groups
and businesses, including the
monitoring of maintenance
contractors, so our town
centres remain clean and
attractive, is high on our list.
Through the local grants
and arts broker programme
we continue to assist
community groups to run
their activities and events.
Collaboration and communityled
initiatives result in a sense
of safety and connectedness in
neighbourhoods, and part of
this is our strong advocacy to
reduce the proliferation of offlicenses.
We will continue this in
advocacy for better conditions
of boarding houses in our area.
Promoting active lifestyles,
along with improving the
local parks and playgrounds,
including the implementation
of the Boggust Park concept
plan is a key deliverable
in this financial term.
Advocating for funding to
develop Māngere East area
as a vibrant community hub
will be a primary focus for
our board’s advocacy.
Free access to swimming
pools for all adults,
through locally targeted
rates will continue.
Promoting local tourism and
opportunities to showcase
our community’s unique
cultural identity and natural
environment is also ranked
high as we develop ongoing
relationships with mana
whenua with shared interests.
Thank you for your ongoing
support to achieve these
results in Māngere-Ōtāhuhu.
To stay up with all that’s
happening in our area,
make sure you follow our
Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board
Facebook page: facebook.com/
mangereotahuhu. Or email
mangereotahuhulocalboard@
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to
subscribe to our e-newsletter.
Manuia,
Lemauga Lydia Sosene
Chair of the Māngere-
Ōtāhuhu Local Board
3
GETTING ABOUT
Light rail to the airport:
Is it best for Māngere?
As heavy rail to the
airport looks likely
to be replaced by
light rail, we asked
Councillor Mike Lee
– a leading advocate
of public transport
for many years – why
he still prefers the
heavy rail option.
By Donna Wynd
275 Times: Public transport
from Māngere to the airport
and Onehunga/Penrose is a
live issue for our community.
You’ve described light rail to the
airport as a ‘folly’. Why is that?
XX
Mike Lee: Trains have superior
speed, capacity and much greater
predictability of journey time.
Most major cities around the world
use heavy rail rather than light
rail for their international airport
connections. This also applies
to cities such as Melbourne and
Sydney which have light rail.
Melbourne has the biggest, most
sophisticated light rail system in the
world, yet Melbourne will be using
trains for its airport connection.
275 Times: Māngere has one of
the highest rates of private motor
vehicle use in Auckland. Local
people are therefore likely to take a
disproportionate financial hit from
the proposed regional fuel tax.
If the light rail option goes
ahead, do you think Māngere
residents will see a benefit to
match their contribution?
XX
ML: Yes. The proposed tramline
with its 20 tram stops will certainly
take them to the city via Dominion
Road and of course to the airport.
But the train service as originally
agreed would have have given
them much greater choices,
including access to the airport,
Papakura and Pukekohe, and to the
east, and – with a simple crossplatform
transfer enabling access
to the central and western line – as
far as Henderson and beyond.
275 Times: There have been
suggestions that a rail link from
Puhinui to the airport would
be an acceptable substitute
to the link via Onehunga.
In your view, is this likely to work?
XX
ML: Ideally, for the airport
travellers, yes. A 30-minute fast
train journey to the CBD from the
airport via Puhinui has recently
been scoped. However – to the
disappointment of many Māngere
4
Manukau South Volleyball (in light green)
with the visiting Utah Valley University
women’s volleyball team (in dark green).
(Picture: Tuataga Hermann Arp Jr)
Volleyball
Visitors
By Tuataga
Hermann Arp Jr
Every four years, the
Utah Valley University
(UVU) women’s volleyball
team tours New Zealand,
and the Manukau South
Volleyball team – made
up of Māngere and
South Auckland locals
– are always there to
give them a challenge.
This year, UVU also
played the New Zealand
Women’s Volleyball team
before heading to Samoa.
“
...light rail
simply does not
have the speed
and capacity to
solve the growing
problem of traffic
congestion
at Auckland
International
Airport...
Councillor Mike Lee
Mike Lee at the launch of Auckland’s electric trains in 2014. (Photo: Mike Lee’s blog)
residents, led by the Local Board,
Auckland Transport’s blocking of
the rail corridor at Neilson Street
Onehunga makes achieving an
Onehunga rail connection more
challenging – but still not impossible
if there was strong political leadership.
The real danger is Auckland
Transport will also try to block the
potential rail corridor between
the airport and Puhinui.
275 Times: Finally, groups such as
Greater Auckland and the Greens
now favour the light rail option.
Given this political backing,
is heavy rail to the airport still
feasible, and what would be
needed to make this happen?
XX
ML: International experience tells
us that light rail simply does not have
the speed and capactiy to solve the
growing problem of traffic congestion
at Auckland International Airport –
only a train service can do that.
This is an incredibly serious
question with billions of dollars at
stake which Māngere people will
be asked to help pay for through
rates, PAYE and new fuel taxes.
It’s too important to be left to noisy
bloggers, or newby politicians
who frankly have had no practical
experience whatsoever with light rail.
The best long term interests of
Auckland International Airport,
the people of Auckland and
indeed New Zealand need to
come before personal egos.
275 Times: Councillor Lee,
thank you for your time. We
look forward to catching up
with you in the future.
XX
ML: No worries Donna.
MARAMATAKA
TE TAHI O
PIPIRI –
By Ayla Hoeta
Te Tahi o Pipiri (June) brings
the start of the Māori new year!
For many, the new year starts on
the day that Matariki (Pleiades) rises
– around 12 June. Depending on
the area you come from, however,
you may have a different marker.
º º Tribes from the west coast use
Puanga (Rigel in Orion), which
is also known as Puangarua or
Puangakairau, to mark the new year.
Puanga will rise on 5 or 6 June.
º º Some northern tribes take the
first full moon (Rakaunui) after
the rise of Puangarua as their
marker. This means their new
year starts around 28 June.
º º Tainui tribes use two stars.
Some use Puanga, while others
along the west coast such as
Manukau, Raglan and Kawhia use
the setting of Rehua (Antares) in
the west. Rehua sets at the same
time that Puanga rises in the east.
The message from our kaumātua for
this korero is: be inclusive of other
tribal markers as well as Matariki.
KEY DATES FOR TE TAHI O PIRIPI
2, 3 & 4 June – Korekore Te
Whiawhia, Korekore Te Rawea
& Korekore Piri nga Tangaroa:
Low-energy days. Good for quieter
activities, planning, reflecting
and letting go of worries.
5, 6 & 7 June – Tangaroa A Mua,
Tangaroa A Roto & Tangaroa
kiokio: There’s lots of ika to catch,
and kai flourishes when planted
on these days. They’re also good
days to sort any issues you might
have, because there’s a greater
chance of a positive outcome.
9, 10 & 11 June – Orongonui,
Omauri & Mutuwhenua: Good
for planting all types of kai.
12 June – Whiro: Lowest-energy day.
A perfect time to reflect. rest and plan.
Also a good night to torch for eels.
18, 19 & 20 June – Tamatea
a Ngana, Tamatea a Hotu &
Tamatea a Io: Moderate energy
days. Great for fishing.
Thanks whānau! If you need a dial
or help to set it, email me: ayla.
hoeta@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
5
Amatakiloa
The road to
For a majority
of Māori and
Pasifika peoples,
education is
the key to a
better future.
But the pressures
of achieving
consistently at a
high standard is
often a difficult
road to navigate.
By Tuataga Hermann Arp Jr
For thirty Manukau Institute
of Technology
(MIT) students, the road
is made easier with a
strong support network.
whanau
oha
love
6
ECE Centres of the highest
quality (20hrs free ECE*)
Experienced, qualified staff
from many backgrounds
Reliable, affordable After-
School Care
Over 10 Years in
community
We care about
FAMILY
one organisation, many services.
we'd love to help out!
MITTSA president Lisate (Richard) Latu (centre) and the team (Photo: Simon Tu’ikolovatu)
MIT’s Tongan Students’
Association (MITTSA)
is made up of students
primarily from Māngere,
Ōtāhuhu and Ōtara.
It’s the only Pacific student
association at the South
pariv
aiga
kaing
Creative, structured
Holiday Programmes
Regular Fathers & Kids
events
SuperGrans programme
for local mums
Community Playgroup
FREE Van pick-ups
201 Buckland Road, Mangere & 18A Mervan St, Mangere
goodseedtrust www.goodseedtrust.co.nz (09) 275-1065
Auckland campus,
where over 80% of
students are Pasifika.
“Our goal at MITTSA is
to help each other get to
graduation,” says Lisate
(Richard) Latu, MITTSA
President. “There is a
massive drop off after
years one and two. Here
at MITTSA we provide
that needed support.”
Since 2004, MITTSA
has taken a group
of students to the
Amatakiloa Conference
– an annual event
that brings together
Tongan students from
tertiary institutions
across New Zealand.
The conference gives
students an opportunity
to network with others
studying in the same
fields, discuss cultural
identity, develop
stronger study habits
and participate in
cultural customs
that are normally
reserved for nobles.
“Learning and
understanding their
culture, who they are
as Tongans and what
it means to be part of
a family – is central
to obtaining a great
education,” says Nia
Tupouniua, MITTSA
treasurer, mentor
and Māngere local.
The Tongan community
reputedly has the
highest number of
PhD graduates per
capita in the Pacific.
“This is where I think
we as Tongans find
our passion and drive
for education,” says
Europa Kupu, Pasifika
Student Advisor at MIT.
“Most of us only have
to look back one
generation to see that
we are children of
immigrants whose sole
aim in moving away
from the motherland
was to provide a better
future for their children.
“They understand that
education is key and so
they instil that in us –
not only in words, but
in actions,” she says.
This year’s group is the
largest that MITTSA has
ever taken to Amatakiloa.
To raise money for their
trip to Wellington in
July, MITTSA will host
a public Fiefia Night on
the 22 June starting
at 7pm in the Tanoa
Room at the MIT Pasifika
Community Centre,
53 Ōtara Road, Ōtara.
TALKING RUBBISH
Regen Zone
A new community
space is being birthed
in Māngere East,
on a small piece of
vacant land behind
ME Family Services
in Ferguson St.
By Justine Skilling
Talking Rubbish, ME Family Services
The 300m 2 site is set to become a
hands-on learning, teaching and
regeneration space for young and
old, with community gardens,
a “makerspace”, and seating,
eating and meeting areas.
ME Family Services Social Designer
John Belford-Lelaulu has been
working with groups of students
from De La Salle College and Unitec
to plan the space, starting with
getting to know the land itself.
“Before being drained for farming
in the 1800s, Māngere East
was once a swampy wetland
area, valued for its natural
resources and as a place for
preserving taonga”, says John.
“We want to honour and
reflect that history in our
design of the Regen Zone”.
Most of us have forgotten that
swamps played a really important
role in the eco-system, slowing
the flow of water through the
land and capturing and storing
the nutrients to create life.
ME Family Services hopes that
the Regen Zone will play a
similar role for the community,
by slowing the flow of waste
from our homes to landfill and
capturing its value for re-use.
John and his team are scavenging
neighbourhood waste to create
the space, using tyres from
nearby Milan Motors for seating
and garden beds, and wood
pallets from local businesses
for composting areas.
An old shipping container
is being refurbished for the
“makerspace”, an area where
locals can try their hand at fixing
and making their own things.
“At uni you’re learning all the
theoretical stuff. It’s great to get a
taste of the real stuff, to be handson
in your own community. It’s
very special being close to home”,
says Unitec student Tevita Vikilani.
Above:Israel Toleafoa (Unitec
student), Koia Teinakore, Tevita
Vikilani (Unitec student),
George Karan (Unitec student),
John Belford-Lelaulu (Social
Designer, ME Family Services)
Inset:Phillip Muller (Unitec student)
sketches ideas for the Regen Zone.
Fellow student Phillipp
Muller agrees. “It’s a good
experience to get your feet
into the real world”, he says.
Once completed, ME Family
Services wants the space to be
used by the whole community
– including local schools and
preschools, as well as neighbours.
“We want to provide a little local
space where people can engage
with other each and with the
natural world. A sacred space
where people can regenerate
their waste and themselves”,
says CEO Peter Sykes.
The space will offer authentic,
organic opportunities for people
to learn about gardening,
reducing waste and upcycling
– “the things our ancestors
have done for millennia!”
7
Community Notices
MA – NGERE/ – OTA – HUHU LOCAL
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
This two-day workshop aims to encourage Māngere/Ōtāhuhu
hustlers to think about their potential as microbusinesses,
and to grow as part of a thriving economy. Facilitated by ME
Family Services. 19-20 June, 8:30am-4pm. Mangere East Rugby
League & Sports Club, 10 Hain Ave, Mangere East. Come for
the full two days or just part of the event. $10 for residents,
small-to-medium businesses and social enterprises. For more
information and to register, visit @LEDMangere on Facebook.
MANUKAU SOCCER HOLIDAY PROGRAMME
July 16-18 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday). For juniors /
youth aged 9 to 19. Walter Massey Park, corner Massey &
Buckland Rds, Māngere East. $20 per day (includes free t-shirt
and bootbag). To register, call Hone: 021 299 0210 or email
manukauunitedfootballclub@gmail.com
MA – NGERE EAST HOLIDAY PROGRAMME
Make the most of the school holidays at Māngere East
Community Centre. Get into our great local facilities, as well as
trips to activities such as Bounce’n’Beyond, Ōtara Fresh Gallery,
Skateland, rock climbing, Mumuland, beaches and more! For
school children aged 5–14. WINZ subsidies are available. Ellina
and Mat can assist you with your application. Don’t miss out –
register today: oscarcoordinator@mangereeast.org.
CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
Time to spare, or skills to share? Volunteer for Citizens Advice
Bureau (CAB) in Māngere, Ōtāhuhu or Papatoetoe. The CAB
is all about the client – making sure individuals do not suffer
through ignorance of their rights and responsibilities. Apply
online at www.cab.org.nz, or call or drop in. CAB Māngere is on
the Orly Ave side of Māngere Town Centre (ph. 09 275 6885),
CAB Ōtāhuhu is in the Tōia Precinct, 30–34 Mason Ave (ph. 09
216 9813) and CAB Papatoetoe is at the back of the Town Hall,
35A St George St, Old Papatoetoe (ph. 09 278 5191).
FREE CLASSES IN MA – NGERE EAST
Māngere East Community Centre runs FREE & low-cost classes
in parenting, te reo Māori, Samoan, korowai, drivers licence
theory, tai chi, zumba – and more! Visit www.mangereeast.org,
email: fiona@mangereeast.org, ph. 275 6161 or drop in to 372
Massey Rd (behind the library) Māngere East to find out more.
Community Notices are FREE for community groups.
To list your group or event in the next issue, send
us a 50-word summary by 20 June 2018.
275 times
275
Māngere’s
times
Editor: Hermann Arp Design: Belinda Fowler
Publisher: Māngere East Community Centre
275times@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/275times
www
www.275times.com 09 275 6161
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