The settlement of Whangape is still divided following the discovery of seven ‘P’ sites on their ancestral mountain of Whakakoro.
Te Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira was one of those who gathered hoping to participate in the hikoi in an effort to support the communities move to get rid of ‘P’
Last month, baches belonging to some Ngati Haua families were burnt down and it’s alleged that it happened over this issue.
According to local Francess Halkyard, the entire community has changed and so have the children of today, she says that in her day as a child nothing like this would ever have been allowed to occur in her community.
While some whanau gathered at the foot of Whakakoro wanting to go out to the coast it didn’t eventuate as a result of continued division within the community.
Next month, Ngāti Haua will meet at their marae Te Kotahitanga in an attempt to quell the division that has arisen, restore the prestige of their sacred mountain and begin healing the wounds of the community.