The case of ihumatao: Interrogating competing corporate and indigenous visions of the future

This case study explores competing corporate and Indigenous visions for the future of Ihumatao, one of the oldest continuously occupied settlements in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Valued for centuries by the hau kainga [home people], Ihumatao is also recognised as an exceptionally significant cultural heri...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:New Zealand sociology 2020-12, Vol.35 (2), p.15-46
Main Author: Hancock, Frances
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aspiration
Campaigns
Case studies
Centuries
Civil rights
Councils
Cultural heritage
Cultural property
Decolonization
Futures
Historic sites
Housing
Housing development
Housing developments
Indigenous peoples
International agreements
International law and human rights
Justice
Land tenure
Maori (New Zealand people)
Maori language
Multinational corporations
Native peoples
Native rights
Politics
Protection
Resistance
Self determination
Social aspects
Social prediction
Transnationalism
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Summary:This case study explores competing corporate and Indigenous visions for the future of Ihumatao, one of the oldest continuously occupied settlements in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Valued for centuries by the hau kainga [home people], Ihumatao is also recognised as an exceptionally significant cultural heritage landscape. Here, transnational corporation Fletcher Building Limited acquired contested whenua [land] for a commercial housing development. Its vision of the future met sustained resistance from the Indigenous-led Save Our Unique Landscape (SOUL) campaign, now known as #ProtectIhumatao. This case study weaves the sociological insights of critical futures studies with the ethical-political challenges of decolonising research to explore conflicting future imaginaries at work in this escalating crisis. We critically examine selected campaign, corporate, government and United Nations texts. While the success of Fletcher's plan seemed inevitable, the SOUL campaign earned widespread support enabling the aspirations of the hau kainga to be heard. #ProtectIhumatao challenges our nation's commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, tino rangatiratanga [the exercise of unqualified authority or self-determination] and key international agreements on Indigenous rights. Further action is needed to secure a future for Ihumatao defined and controlled by the hau kainga. Only then will justice be assured.
ISSN:0112-921X
1173-1036
1173-1036