What happened that day?
See historic events for any day of the year by entering the date below. Why not try your birthday?
Kiwi of the Week
Today in History
5 January
1977 Occupation of Bastion Point begins
Joe Hawke leads occupation of Takaparawha (Bastion Point reserve), Auckland, to protest the Crown's decision to sell land that Ngati Whatua maintained was wrongly taken from them.
The occupation began after the government announced a housing development on former Ngati Whatua reserve land. The land had been gradually reduced in size by compulsory acquisition, leaving the Ngati Whatua ki Orakei tribal group holding less than one hectare. Police evicted the occupiers after 506 days. Following a Waitangi Tribunal inquiry and recommendations, much of the land has been returned to or vested with Ngati Whatua.
Read more about the eviction of protestors and the return of the Bastion Point land.
Image: Bastion Point protest
This Week in History
