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The land at Ihumatao was wrongfully confisscated from the Maori people in 1863 when they refused to pledge allegience to the Crown.
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Auckland Airport was established and expanded, causing land to be lost and noise disruption.
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Auckland City Council began work on a large sewage treatment facility on the foreshore of Manukau Harbour. The Oruarangi River was blocked off from the harbour causing water flow to be greatly reduced. Large oxidation ponds caused water and air pollution. For 40 years, the people were unable to access the waters that had fed them.
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Auckland City Council’s Watercare began coastal marine restoration. Watercare and local community groups planted more than 270,000 native trees. The Oruarangi Stream and the harbour were once again connected.
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Burial sites were also desecrated by the Auckland airport runway extension
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The Environment Court ruled that all rural land west of Auckland Airport be designated as future urban space, so Ihumatao was no longer protected.
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More than 1,000 litres of methyl violet dye was spilled into the Oruarangi Stream and estuary, which went out to the harbour.
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The Government and Auckland Council designated the land at Ihumātao a Special Housing Area (SHA 62)
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SOUL (Save Our Unique Landscape) was formed by locals in opposition to SHA decision.
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Auckland Council upheld its decision to keep the site as a Special Housing Area, despite strenuous community opposition.
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SOUL held a number of rallies, built a stone whare, set up a virtual occupation of the land and threatened a Bastion Point type occupation if construction goes ahead
