As will the five other groups (including Hauraki Sports Club) who call the Okahu Landing home.

Auckland City Council have been trying for years to "get rid of" OWS and the USERS at the eastern end of the Okahu Landing.

Should this Super City proposal go through there is a strong possibility that Orakei Water Sports and the five other USERS will find themselves without a place to call home.

The powers that be (and they are the ones with the money) see a much grander picture at our humble (ugly) end. They want to bowl the buildings, put up a flash new one and call it The Sailing Academy of New Zealand.

The new Super City Structure will put the power to decide such matters in the hands of one single person, The Lord Mayor. I can tell you now, that person will NOT know or care what Waka Ama is, and if he does, he’s probably going to think it’s just another "race based" and unworthy cause.

OWS are the only Marae/Iwi based waka (ama) club in Tamaki Makaurau. My Dad, my sister and I are the founders of Orakei Water Sports and we established it because of our strong connection to the Waitemata and a desire to share the history and culture of Ngati Whatua and of waka on the Waitemata with anyone who was interested.

Dad was very young when he and his parents, brothers & sister, aunties & uncles, nannies & cousins were removed from their papakainga, now known as the Orakei reserve. He was in his 30’s when the same thing happened at the Bastion Point Protest. If this Super City goes ahead there is a very real possibility that it will happen again . Personally, I think being removed from your whenua three times in one life time is three times too many.

So, if you work for an organisation that boasts that it has a relationship/partnership with Ngati Whatua then call them on it, ask them to stand with its partner; and join us.

If you enjoy the freedom to paddle at Okahu Bay then demonstrate your appreciation and stand with Ngati Whatua, the people who gave it back to the city when they were granted the title.

Hikoi - Maori Seats for Auckland Super City
http://ihiaotearoa.wordpress.com/

Mauri ora,

Donna