Selwyn Murupaenga interviews Joe Hawke at the camp established at Takaparawha/Bastion Point to protest at the loss of Māori land.
Joe Hawke comments on the leadership qualities developing amongst the young people involved with the Bastion Point protests. They are becoming interested in regaining knowledge of their Māoritanga, and this is also being passed on to younger children.
He says Ngāti Whatua will take the issue of Bastion Point as far as they need to. In the past, he believes Māori have been too submissive. Comparisons are made with native Americans and the protests at Wounded Knee. He believes there will be confrontation, even though he wishes this was not the case. He says Māori people have suffered years of aggravation, with deaf ears turned to them - fruitless journeys to parliament, endless commissions, meetings and land courts.
He comments on statements by Venn Young, the National Government's Minister of Lands, that they are breaking the law by erecting buildings on the site. Joe Hawke says Venn Young doesn't understand the true issues involved.
He also talks about a meeting with the Auckland City Council, who have reversed their stand and are now opposed to the subdivision on the site. The Council now want to see the land either vested in the Council, or with a Māori body.
Joe Hawke discusses the possible outcome of the protest. He has confidence in his people that they will resist the threats of the Government in a proper and dignified way. He also has confidence in the Auckland District Māori Council to stand by their acknowledged support of the protesters, and also in hundreds of others who have pledged their support. He says they are dealing with a lot of people who have inherited the ways and thoughts of past generations, where they have been controlling and alienating Māori land. He is not sure if the current generation has changed on that point.
[See ID 41554 for a further part of this interview.]