Dominico Zapata/Stuff
People joined a hikoi led by Ngāti Tamainupō, to the head office of the Waikato District Council in Ngāruawāhia on June 12, 2020. (Video originally published on June 12, 2020.) The hapū has been protesting against destruction of the pits since May 2020, when Perjuli started excavating the site. A small group is currently occupying the site 24 hours a day. Ngati Taimainupō chairwoman Kimai Huirama told
Stuff they were protecting taonga under threat.
The mara kai fed the historic Pukeiāhua Pā 300 years ago and link to the naming of Ngāruawāhia, when 17th century chief Ngaere called out “wāhia ngā rua” or “break open the food pits”, Huirama said.