Bastion Point

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Bastion Point (Takaparawha in Māori) is a coastal piece of land in Orakei, Auckland, New Zealand, overlooking the Waitemata Harbour.

1 History
2 Occupation
3 Savage Memorial
4 External References

[edit] History

The land was originally owned by Ngāti Whātua, in the period before the colonisation of New Zealand by the British Crown, and was part of important lands for the iwi (tribe), overlooking rich fishing and farming areas.

The surrounding land was bought or confiscated by the New Zealand Government for public works and development over a period stretching from the 1840s into the 1950s.

[edit] Occupation

During 1977-1978 Joe Hawke and others organised an occupation of the remaining land to prevent its confiscation by the Muldoon Government. A marae and housing was built, and crops were grown. A fire in one of the buildings caused the tragic death of a young girl.

The occupation lasted for 507 days and was finally ended after police and the New Zealand army were used to remove the occupiers and destroy the buildings. The occupation and use of force to end it played a part in highlighting injustices against Maori.

The New Zealand Government formally apologised and returned the land to Ngāti Whātua as part of the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process.

A documentary supporting the protest by filmmaker Merata Mita was made about the takeover of Māori land. It is titled "Bastion Point" and it uses various video footage of the forceful land takeover.

[edit] Savage Memorial

The point is the location of the Savage Memorial for the first Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand Michael Joseph Savage (March 23, 1872 – March 27, 1940).