18 May 2018

'Not One More Acre': Exhibition remembers Bastion Pt evictions

7:03 am on 18 May 2018

An exhibition showcasing the images of evictions that took place at Takaparawhau or Bastion Point has been launched at the Auckland Museum.

The 'Not One More Acre' photographic exhibition.

The 'Not One More Acre' photographic exhibition. Photo: RNZ / John Boynton

The 'Not One More Acre' photographic exhibition includes more than one hundred photos from two evictions at Bastion Point in 1978 and 1982.

The exhibition includes the work of photographers Mairi Gunn, Gil Hanly, Margaret Jones, John Miller, and Robyn Morrison.

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trustee Sharon Hawke said the exhibition ensures the efforts of those who stood in protest for a better New Zealand would not be forgotten.

"Not One More Acre is our chance to share with the world the remarkable lives of those who said 'enough' through their involvement with the occupation."

Auckland Museum head of exhibitions Victoria Travis said the exhibition was about supporting the kaupapa around the 40th commemorations of the eviction at Bastion Point.

"And through that what peaceful occupation can achieve but how much bravery it takes and how hard it is to stand up for what's right."

Project manager Kelly Bewley (L) with Auckland Museum head of exhibitions Victoria Travis.

Project manager Kelly Bewley (L) with Auckland Museum head of exhibitions Victoria Travis. Photo: RNZ / John Boynton

Photographer Gil Hanly was at the second eviction of Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei from their land in 1982.

"It sort of brings back years - it was a very scary time it wasn't much fun taking them," she said.

The 84-year-old took photos during the protest at the Springboks Tour in 1981 and was also part of protest at Bastion Point in 1982.

"I was fairly angry of what was happening - the title (of the exhibition) is very good - Not One More Acre I think it sums it up well.

"That's why we went down to protest and that's why I took the photos."

Ōrakei Local Board member Rosalind Rundle grew up around Ōrakei when the land occupation was taking place.

"I can remember as a little girl seeing a lot of these photos in our local newspaper and it's really interesting to see them now here all these years later."

Mrs Randell said she was quite young at the time of the land occupations and didn't really understand what was going on.

"All I knew was that there was always a lot of policemen up there and there were always lots of problems going on."