Pania Newton is a lawyer and activist for Maori land rights who emerged as the face of the Ihumatao protest against Fletcher Building developing disputed land near Auckland airport .  

She is a determined and articulate spokesperson who has been pushed into the spotlight to lead the Save Our Unique Landscape(SOUL) campaign for the preservation of Ihumatao land that Fletcher Building bought for housing development.

Last week a deal was struck between the government and Fletcher Building to buy the disputed Ihumātao land for just under $30 million, the first step in breaking the stand off between protectors and Fletcher Building.