Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Henare te Ua presents a programme looking back over some of the past Waitangi Day observances. It includes extracts from speeches made by Sir David Beattie (1982), Sir Bernard Fergusson (1966), Norman Kirk (1972) and Sir James Henare (1982).

(Sound Archives T2787)

Henare te Ua speaks about the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi; the setting up of the Waitangi Trust Board, the opposition to issues surrounding the Treaty, and seeks the opinion of young people.

He also interviews Bob Scott, the co-ordinator of the National Council of Churches programme on racism, about the radical study of the Treaty. Sir James Henare explores protest undertaken by his ancestors, and Ripeka Evans speaks about organising a Waitangi protest. Archdeacon Kingi Ihaka considers the signing of the Treaty, and whether or not celebrations should continue. Broadcast in 1983.

(Sound Archives MPT 1702)

David Ruru talks about the background of the Ngā Tamatoa Movement. Its name means 'Young Warriors.' Originally a university organisation it now includes Māori from all walks of life. This group is the coordinating group for the Wellington region and it visits prisons, boys’ homes, etc. It opposes any sporting tour of South Africa, and is very much concerned with land claims and land marches. (Ruru mentions Whina Cooper’s name). The group sees its role as improving the lot of Māori in New Zealand.

(Sound Archives T992)

Sharon Crosbie speaks with Sir Graham Latimer, Chairperson of the New Zealand Māori Council. They discuss the proposal put forward by the Right Hon Mike Moore, that Waitangi Day cease to be New Zealand’s National Day and that a new day be set aside for a National Day.

(Sound Archives C900312C)

Kathryn Asare interviews Eddie Durie, Chairman of the Waitangi Tribunal and Chief Judge of the Māori Land Court. He outlines the history and role of the Māori Land Court and its link with the Waitangi Tribunal. He also talks about Waitangi claims concerning the Kaituna River, Waiheke, Bastion Point, the Manukau Harbour, Motunui, and comments on New Zealand race relations and the general work of the tribunal.

(Sound Archives T123)

The Waitangi Tribunal has increased its membership from seven to seventeen, meaning that two tribunals will hear over 180 Māori claims. The membership includes eight Pākehā and nine Māori.

(Sound Archives MPT 3755)

Dame Whina Cooper talks about crossing the Auckland harbour bridge during the Māori land march of September and October 1975.

(Sound Archives T7113)

Colin Feslier introduces coverage of the eviction of protesters from Bastion Point, Auckland, where Māori land rights activists have been occupying land they claim to be theirs. Protesters perform haka, the Assistant Commissioner of Police Bill Overton and Commissioner of Crown Lands George McMillan addresses the crowd from an open Land Rover, the protest leader Joe Hawke says they will rebuild the marae, and David Steemson reports from the Auckland Central Police Station where protesters are being charged.

(Sound Archives T1161)

The occupation of Bastion Point, Takaparawhā, lasted for 507 days and ended in 1978 with a paramilitary exercise which evicted many of Joe Hawke’s supporters. This programme backgrounds some of the circumstances in which the people of Tāmakimakaurau, Ngāti Whātua, lost their lands since the time that settlers arrived from Great Britain. Joe Hawke talks about his ancestors, their settlement in the Auckland area, and how successive governments have had a hand in the de-settlement of his people.

He says that the Ōrākei Marae, established through hard work, will never replace their papakāinga which was torched by local government authorities in 1950. Then Joe and his brother watched the devastation before their eyes without understanding it.

The meeting of Auckland metropolitan court officials at Ōrākei brought these issues to the fore again. The hui was called to find a way for the courts and tangata whenua to work together in a complementary relationship and therefore find a better way of working in a partnership under the terms of the Treaty of Waitangi.

(Sound Archives MPT HRK 940816)

Gyles Beckford reports that the Waitangi Tribunal has backed a claim for the return of Māori land at Bastion Point in Auckland to be returned to the Ngāti Whātua tribe.

(Sound Archives C871126D)

Takaparawhā – Bastion Point. First broadcast on 27 May 1978, produced and presented by Whai Ngata.

This programme is a re-broadcast in light of the Waitangi Tribunal's recent findings to restore "Takaparawhā" to the Ngāti Whātua people together with monetary compensation from the government.

(Sound Archives MPT 3611)