Anti co-governance roadshow: Ōrewa protesters conflict with attendees

A big police presence separated protesters from attendees on the Ōrewa leg of anti co-governance roadshow that beforehand sparked protests at different stops.

The assembly, organised by Julian Batchelor and held on the council-owned Ōrewa Group Centre, was billed as voicing opposition to Authorities plans on co-governance and to the actions of what Batchelor describes as “Elite Māori”.

Video from the occasion confirmed a heated ambiance, with protesters shouting in response to statements made by Batchelor and confrontations between particular person attendees and protestors.

The protest was led by native iwi Ngātu Manuhiri and members of Te Herenga Waka o Ōrewa Marae.

Mikaela Matenga (Tūhourangi, Tūwharetoa, Rongowhakaata, Te Arawa) who filmed video on the occasion, described the attendees’ behaviour as “risky” and mentioned she may “sense the worry” within the crowd.

“I believe that that’s the saddest factor, I suppose from my standing level is that they’ve been given all this misinformation about co-governance,” she advised the Herald.

Matenga mentioned many within the crowd objected to being filmed and claimed she was pushed through the heating confrontation and advised that she “wanted Jesus”.

She mentioned protesters wanted to shout to be heard over the din and Batchelor’s microphone, however that it was essential to counter what she mentioned was “misinformation” and feedback that denigrated Māori.

“That isn’t the appropriate method to go about any dialog about co-governance”.

Video recorded by Matenga confirmed members standing to shout “No” to co-governance after an invite from Batchelor. As she filmed the second and approached attendees some tried to dam the digital camera whereas one other got here nearer to shout her response.

At one other level, protesters carried out a rendition of Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi which was met by the Nationwide Anthem from attendees.

Solely the English language portion of the anthem was recited.

Hibiscus and Bay Native Board Member Jake Regulation advised the Herald he attended the assembly in an observational capability as a result of he knew it could be contentious and had issues about security.

He mentioned the presentation featured misinformation and discriminatory remarks in opposition to Māori.

“I believe it’s a disgrace often because it truly tars folks along with his brush, those who those who wish to criticise co-governance in the appropriate method,” Regulation advised the Herald.

“He’s criticising opponents in a method that mixes in discriminatory remarks in the direction of Māori, his private opinions and interpretation of the Treaty.

“There’s a number of what I might say is misinformation, but in addition pandering to folks’s fears as nicely.

“Persons are afraid of what co-governance could be and he’s feeding into that, , by portray the worst-case state of affairs in a state of affairs that I don’t assume is reasonable.”

Police advised the Herald they maintained a presence on the assembly to make sure it was carried out safely.

“Our precedence is the security of all, so we had employees monitoring the occasion to have the ability to reply to any issues ought to they come up.

“The occasion concluded peacefully and attendees dispersed with out difficulty,” they mentioned in a press release.