Despite that sombre note, the mood was largely upbeat. “With a cloudless blue sky, children running about, and plenty of food, drink and interesting things to see and do, it was clear people were enjoying themselves.” Food included three hāngi, enough to feed 1500 people. “The peaceful protest was in contrast to last year, when graffiti was sprayed along the route to Okains Bay saying a bomb had been planted there. In the bay there was confrontation with the police as a flagpole was cut down and a flag set on fire.” But that was last year. In 1990, a Ngāi Tahu kaumātua had a reassuring message for those present.