Thursday 28 May 2026
This week, our Year 9 Te Ao Māori students visited one of Tāmaki Makaurau’s most historically significant sites, Ihumātao.
Students stood on this sacred whenua (land) to learn about its powerful history. They discovered how the land was originally confiscated by Governor George Grey and his soldiers, gifted to the Wallace family, and later targeted by corporate developers.
Crucially, students learned about the historic, peaceful occupation of the land that began in late 2016 and gained global attention in 2017. Led by Pania Newton and the SOUL (Save Our Unique Landscape) movement, protectors camped on the land in response to plans for a 480-house development by Fletcher Building, seeking to preserve the cultural and environmental significance of the area.
The groups also explored the geographical history of the area, learning how stone from Ihumātao's ancient volcanic landscape contributed to the growth and development of early Auckland. It was a meaningful and thought-provoking experience that brought local history and the concept of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) to life.