Bastion Point 507 Days on Takaparawha, Auckland, 1977-78

My New Zealand Story

by Tania Roxborogh, T.K. Roxborogh

Erica Tito had the perfect summer holiday planned. Then her father decided the whole family would pack up and join the protestors at Bastion Point in Auckland. Through Erica’s heartfelt diary entries we learn about the daily lives of the protestors, listen in on grand speeches and fiery confrontations between the protestors, Ngāti Whātua elders, police and politicians. And we witness the distressing eviction of the occupiers — all seen through the eyes of a Maori girl previously unaware of race and land issues. My New Zealand Story is a series of vividly imagined accounts of life in the past . . . making history come alive.

Genres: Historical, Young Adult, Childrens

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Librarian Note: Also writes under the pen name T.K. Roxborogh.

Reviews

[Deborah]

I was prepared to just whisk through this and tick it off as another book I'm reading for my job, rather than something I genuinely want to read. However, I became engrossed in the re-telling of yet another sad event in our history of race relations. The author captures the voice of a young girl in the 70's, caught up in the Bastion Point occupation with her family. The story is simply told, but powerfully illustrates the painful and polarising issue of land rights through the eyes of a Maori girl. It was a sobering read, well-researched, and would give real insight to young readers about relatively recent race/land issues in our country.

[Erin Milham]

If haven't read anything about this time in NZ's history so it was a really good insight into what the Maori faced and the injustice they were given. Also, the girl telling the story is crack-up!

[Jayne Downes]

A realistic view of the Bastion Point occupation, an important event in our history from the point of view of Intermediate aged Erica whose family took part in the occupation. Erica was unhappy about being there having to leave her home and pony and endure a new school and uncomfortable conditions living in a tent. Initially the story is rather slow but It is an accurate depiction of life in 70s NZ. As the occupation goes on and events occur, Erica gains more understanding and sympathy towards cause. A good book for students with an interest in New Zealand history.

[Sue]

Excellent story about the infamous Bastion Point situation in the late 70s in New Zealand. Essential reading for kiwis.

[Sarah]

I hope that many tamariki in Aotearoa read this or have it read to them by parents and teachers. A thoroughly engaging fictionalised account of the first occupation of Bastion Point and a young girl's growing politicisation. My son and I both found it very engrossing.

[Bookrapt (Est. 1983)]

'Bastion Point' is a story that needed to be told, a period in our history that needs to be better understood, and Tania Roxborogh has handled the challenge well. Intermediate age and older readers will gain an understanding of this protest in particular, Maori political action in general and of life in New Zealand in the 1970s.

Several in this series have been told in diary form. Here it works particularly well. The reader sees the action and inaction, the hardships and tensions, through the eyes of Erica, a 12 year old girl whose plans for the summer holidays are suddenly changed. Instead of spending time grooming and training the horse she has finally been allowed to purchase and working towards it paying off, Erica finds herself shifted from Titoki in Northland to Bastion Point in Auckland.

Told that the move will be only for a couple of weeks, Erica is upset and frustrated when the weeks turn to months. The events of these 507 days are described well by this sensitive strong-willed girl. Erica witnesses racism in action, national politics in action, Maori assertiveness in action and she works hard to understand what she sees. Absorbing points of law, learning to debate and express herself in public, Erica emerges from this experience a much wiser stronger person.

The examples of her parents, of the elders on site and of the Hawke family who lead the protest all contribute to this growth. Tania Roxborogh has skillfully woven her research into actual historical figures and actions with Erica's fictional family, her school mates, etc.

Reviewed by Chris Wright (Bookrapt)

[Janine]

This was an event in New Zealand history that I knew very little about, and now I feel that I have have a better understanding. I loved the way the author told the story from Erica's point of view and how her character evolved throughout the 507 days. An interesting, emotional, and at times humorous read. I would recommend this book to all New Zealanders.

[Desna]

This is a moving account of the realities of life during the 1977 – 1978 occupation of Bastion Point. Erica Tito tells us just what it was like when her father uprooted the family and joined protestors in Auckland. A protest that was only supposed to be a few days or weeks at most, turned in to 507 difficult and challenging days for everyone involved. The luxuries of normal life, like running water and electricity have been left behind and Erica even enrolls in the local school which brings a new set of problems.

As Erica realises their stay could go on for some time she becomes increasingly desperate to return home to her horse Silver. A horse she is working hard to pay off and make her own.

From the start there are clashes between the protesters, Nga¯ti Wha¯tua elders, police and politicians and we begin to see things from Erica’s point of view, which is both child and Maori. It is Erica’s voice we are hearing and through her eyes we see history happening.

I love how we see Erica’s growing understanding of the situation and the realisation that all of us are guilty of believing in stereotypes. I confess that there were things I just never knew or perhaps ignored, about the days of the Bastion Point occupation and through this novel I am forced to confront the truth and that is not always easy for anyone.

Author Tanya Roxborogh provides us with a well thought-out and well researched novel aimed at year five and up. This is the latest in Scholastic’s My New Zealand series which highlights history through diary entries of young children.

Teacher notes can be found here.

[Joy Watson]

wow! I wasnt expecting to have such a reaction to this story...as I was in my early thirties, and do remember bits and pieces from the news broadcasts at the time, but I didnt pay too much attention ( as one does)

i want to thank the author for writing this story in such a senstive and informative manner,

and for making me the reader feel sadden by the injustice meted out to all that were involved in trying to keep what was rightfully theirs..

I highly recommend that all New Zealands buy and read this book.. it will not disappoint

Watson j Northshore

[Jeannie]

Bastion Point:507 Days on Takaparawha makes this account of recent history, told from the perspective of a 13 year old, very accessible to young readers. The richness of the descriptions of daily life at the camp as well as at school and the family home up north attests to thorough research on the part of the author.
I see this novel informing many young people of the struggle that beset Maori and helping them better understand the situation.

[Isa Rive]

Engaging diary of a girl caught up in the 70’s Auckland land rights occupation. Her understanding of the issues develop as the book explores themes of racism, historical injustice and family bonds.

[Kat]

A good read. Couldn't put it down in the second half of the book. Still very valid to know about the history of this country, good and bad. Woke up to news that this tribe is still having issues with their land, all these years after Bastion Point.